UNC spent more than $900,000 on football investigation that led to Lombardi’s resignation, Steve Belichick :: WRAL.com

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill spent more than $914,000 on the internal investigation into its football program that resulted in the resignations of general manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, according to documents obtained by WRAL and other media outlets through public records requests.

UNC launched the investigation July 30, three days after the school announced Lombardi had been placed on paid administrative leave. Lombardi later resigned. The investigation concluded on September 17 when the university announced the possible resignation of Belichick, the son of head coach Bill Belichick.

“The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values ​​and standards of conduct,” the university announced. “The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and did not constitute a systemic failure. »

Three law firms K&L Gates, Williams Mullen and Barnes & Thornburg billed UNC for work performed during the investigation. Barnes & Thornburg billed the university more than $821,000 for its work, including nearly 200 hours of work by lead investigator Nate Huff and nearly 300 hours of work by partner McNair Nichols. Sixteen employees of the company have billed more than 1,000 hours in total on this case. The company also had more than $15,000 in expenses, which are included in the $821,000 figure.

“Our job was to do what we always do, which is conduct an impartial, independent investigation,” Huff told WRAL, the Associated Press and The Assembly after the investigation concluded. “That’s why people hire us, and that’s what we did here. Our scope was broad, so we looked at a lot of things. It wasn’t a circumstance where we were targeting a specific person or specific people. We were looking at the football program wide.”

The university hired these firms to provide legal advice “regarding the culture and compliance of the UNC-CH football program,” according to the contract between UNC and Barnes & Thornburg. It called for interviews with current and former staff. Huff said more than 60 interviews were conducted, including at least one with Bill Belichick.

Williams Mullen has been hired to provide legal advice related to any potential litigation or employment law issues arising from the investigation into Lombardi.

UNC launched the investigation based on concerns raised by “a limited number of former employees,” UNC General Counsel Paul Newton said in September.

Investigators looked into allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships between staff and other members of the program, potential drug use within the program, allegations of NCAA violations and the general work environment.

“Another example or another issue that comes up is the work environment within the football program,” Huff said. “Is it a safe and respectful environment? Are the young people working there getting good supervision, good mentoring and all that? The questions you’re asking are about that as well, which is perhaps more important than who’s sleeping with who.”

Bill Belichick, one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time and winner of six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots, accepted the job at UNC in December 2024. Lombardi, who played a behind-the-scenes role in his hiring, was among Belichick’s first hires. He was the highest-paid general manager in college football at $1.5 million.

After the investigation, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts stood by his second-year coach.

“Coach Belichick continues to have the support of us, the administration and the board,” Roberts said. “He understands that with support comes expectations for conduct and behavior. No one understands that better than Coach Belichick.”

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill spent more than $914,000 on the internal investigation into its football program that resulted in the resignations of general manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, according to documents obtained by WRAL and other media outlets through public records requests.

UNC launched the investigation July 30, three days after the school announced Lombardi had been placed on paid administrative leave. Lombardi later resigned. The investigation concluded on September 17 when the university announced the possible resignation of Steve Belichick, the son of head coach Bill Belichick.

“The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values ​​and standards of conduct,” the university announced. “The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and did not constitute a systemic failure. »

Three law firms K&L Gates, Williams Mullen and Barnes & Thornburg billed UNC for work performed during the investigation. Barnes & Thornburg billed the university more than $821,000 for its work, including nearly 200 hours of work by lead investigator Nate Huff and nearly 300 hours of work by partner McNair Nichols. Sixteen employees of the company have billed more than 1,000 hours in total on this case.

Huff spoke with WRAL News in September about the investigation, its origins and what she found. According to Huff, he saw the survey as an opportunity to evaluate – and make recommendations – to improve the culture. Such efforts by outside counsel are common in the business world when companies face compliance issues.

After the investigation’s findings were released, university officials said they still have confidence in Bill Belichick, who is in the middle of his second season with the program, but added they would look into any new allegations if they arise.