Bill Belichick praises son Steve and Mike Lombardi after UNC defeats TCU
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North Carolina and Bill Belichick will head back across the pond to the United States on a high note after securing the first signature win of the former NFL coach's two-year tenure in Chapel Hill, defeating TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Saturday.
Absent from the Tar Heels' celebrations will be general manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who remain away from the program on administrative and medical leave, respectively.
Even so, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach made sure to acknowledge both Lombardi and Steve Belichick after North Carolina's 15-10 victory over the Horned Frogs on Saturday, Aug. 29, during his postgame news conference.
"We really appreciate what they've done for the program. Sorry they couldn't be here, but they had a lot to do with this today as well," Bill Belichick said on Saturday.
The longtime New England Patriots coach announced on Thursday, Aug. 6 that his son was being placed on medical leave and would be out indefinitely.
"It’s a medical situation, so I really can’t make any further comment on that," Bill Belichick said said on Aug. 6.
When asked postgame if he called all or most defensive plays on Saturday against TCU, the 74-year-old Belichick deflected by responding that the Tar Heels "game planned and won as a team." The Tar Heels' defense came up with three fourth-down stops and a fumble in Saturday's game, with two turnovers on downs coming on TCU's final two drives. North Carolina held TCU scoreless in the final three quarters after giving up a touchdown and a field goal in the first frame.
North Carolina confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, July 30, that it's investigating Lombardi after he was recently placed on administrative leave. Lombardi, one of Bill Belichick's most trusted confidants dating back to their days in the NFL, is being investigated after an HR complaint was filed against him, according to multiple reports. The College Sports Commission later reached out to North Carolina after the university announced Lombardi's leave of absence.
"As a result of concerns behind allegations that led to the personnel action regarding Michael Lombardi announced on July 27, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through its Office of University Counsel, is in the process of investigating this matter," the school stated to USA TODAY Sports, among others.
"Because this involves confidential personal issues, the University will not comment on the nature of the allegations or discuss personnel information."
In a statement to The Athletic on Saturday, Lombardi's lawyer Tom Mars called North Carolina's investigation into Lombardi, who is the highest-paid general manager in college football with an annual salary of $1.5 million, "a witch hunt."
North Carolina will return to action in Week 2 on Saturday, Sept. 12, when it hosts East Tennessee State at noon ET in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels are scheduled to be idle while the rest of the country opens its 2026 season during Week 1 next weekend.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Belichick praises son Steve and Mike Lombardi after UNC defeats TCU
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