North Carolina officials say Bill Belichick still has the university’s backing after an internal investigation shook the football program, but they also made clear that his continued support depends on meeting firm standards for “conduct and behavior.”
UNC chancellor Lee Roberts spoke publicly about the situation after defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi suddenly departed during an independent review of staff conduct and the team’s culture.
The investigation examined a broad range of alleged misconduct, including reported illegal drug use, claims that substances were supplied to a player, inappropriate relationships among staff and possible violations of NCAA rules.
Although the 74-year-old head coach has not faced an individual punishment, university leaders emphasized that his position in Chapel Hill remains under close examination.
“Coach Belichick continues to have our support, the support of the administration and of the board [of trustees],” Roberts said, via CBS Sports.
“He understands that that support comes with expectations around conduct and behavior. Nobody understands that better than coach Belichick.”
North Carolina officials say Bill Belichick retains their support after an internal investigation disrupted the football program
UNC chancellor Lee Roberts addressed the turmoil after defensive coordinator Steve Belichick left during an independent investigation
Roberts said UNC has acted swiftly to strengthen supervision of the operation run by the former New England Patriots coach and reduce the risk of further problems.
“We’re continuing to put in place policies and training and monitoring to make sure that the standards we expect of the football program are being adhered to,” Roberts added.
The exits have significantly weakened Belichick’s trusted group of advisers just weeks into his second season leading the Tar Heels.
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Lombardi, a longtime Belichick confidant from their years in the NFL, was placed on paid leave in late July and formally resigned on September 3.
A week after Lombardi’s leave and the launch of the investigation became public, Belichick announced that his son Steve had also stepped away. At the time, the move was attributed to a “medical situation.”
Steve had been scheduled to speak with reporters after UNC’s opening preseason practice on July 29, but officials said he was “feeling under the weather.”
Steve, who previously coordinated his father’s defense with the Patriots before joining him at North Carolina, submitted his resignation on September 17. It will take effect October 27, after he completes medical leave.
As part of the review, outside attorneys interviewed current and former players, parents and members of the coaching and support staff, including Lombardi.
Bill Belichick’s son Steve has resigned from his role at the University of North Carolina
The Tar Heels are 2-1 this season and have a bye this weekend before returning to competition
WRAL reported that investigators questioned witnesses about the wider culture of the program under Belichick and Lombardi. They also sought documents and screenshots of text messages to establish whether the head coach had been made aware of any “questionable behavior.”
Investigators separately examined allegations that a member of UNC’s recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player. They also asked about possible sexual relationships involving assistant coaches and recruiting staffers.
UNC officials confirmed the misconduct findings ‘demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct,’ but emphasized that the issues were ‘isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.’
The Tar Heels, who sit at 2-1 on the season, have a bye this weekend before returning to action to host Notre Dame on October 3.
