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    "original_url": "https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7604058\/2026\/09\/17\/unc-football-investigation-steve-belichick-resigns\/?emc=edit_na_20260917&nl=breaking-news&segment_id=226648",
    "parsed_content": "An investigation into the culture and climate of North Carolina\u2019s football program found that \u201ccertain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina\u2019s values and standards of conduct,\u201d but that the actions were \u201cisolated\u201d and \u201cnot a systematic failure,\u201d the university said Thursday.The investigation included allegations of drug use and inappropriate relationships, one of the investigators confirmed to three local media outlets, including WRAL, on Thursday. Nathan Huff, an outside lawyer retained by UNC to investigate, did not detail the findings of the inquiry or what misconduct was confirmed.As part of the investigation\u2019s conclusion, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, son of head coach Bill Belichick, has resigned. The 39-year-old has been on medical leave since Aug. 6, and his resignation will go into effect at the conclusion of his leave, on Oct. 27.Former UNC general manager Michael Lombardi \u2014 once the highest-paid GM in college football, making $1.5 million annually \u2014 previously resigned on Sept. 3.Less than two years into Bill Belichick\u2019s tenure, both his son and longtime right-hand man have departed the program under a cloud of scrutiny, but Bill Belichick was not named in the university\u2019s statement Thursday and continues to prepare for the Tar Heels\u2019 (2-0) game Saturday at Clemson.North Carolina said that \u201ccorrective actions\u201d are underway under the supervision of UNC\u2019s athletic department and the school\u2019s Office of University Counsel. As a result, the school considers the investigation resolved.Huff declined to comment on specific individuals, including Steve Belichick and Lombardi. He said a written report will not be produced and that investigators conducted roughly 60 interviews. Huff also said he interviewed Bill Belichick and complimented the head coach\u2019s cooperation during the process.\u201cI had full run of the facility and the people that I needed to do my work, and I was able to do that thoroughly,\u201d Huff said, \u201cand I made my recommendations and findings available to my client.\u201dSYRPITT22% Picked78% Picked1296 votesAdditionally, the school announced that freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman \u2014 the highest-ranked recruit in Bill Belichick\u2019s 2026 class \u2014 has been suspended indefinitely from the program for a separate incident that transpired earlier this week. According to a police report obtained by The Athletic, Chapman was arrested Tuesday night on a misdemeanor weapons charge.The investigation into Belichick\u2019s program has hung over the Tar Heels since late July, when Lombardi was first placed on paid administrative leave after unspecified allegations against him surfaced. At the time, chancellor Lee Roberts \u2014 who played a central role in Belichick\u2019s hiring in December 2024 \u2014 said he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d to be discussing such matters so close to the team\u2019s season opener against TCU in Dublin.\n \n \n \n On Aug. 6, Belichick announced that Steve Belichick had gone on medical leave, with no timetable for his return. Steve Belichick did not travel with UNC to Ireland for its season-opening 15-10 win.With Lombardi and Steve Belichick out of the picture in recent weeks, a team source, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told The Athletic that operations around the football program have been smoother. Additionally, the source added that Belichick\u2019s other son, Brian \u2014 the team\u2019s safeties coach \u2014 assumed defensive play-calling duties in Steve\u2019s absence, contrary to reports that Bill Belichick absorbed those responsibilities.The Athletic reported earlier this month that UNC\u2019s initial investigation into Lombardi had expanded to the program at large, including the allegation of inappropriate relationships that Huff confirmed investigating on Thursday.\u201cUNC\u2019s investigation is delving into whether people other than Michael were having \u2018inappropriate relationships,\u2019\u201d Lombardi\u2019s lawyer, Tom Mars, told The Athletic. \u201cMichael is not aware of any such relationships, nor was it his job to monitor.\u201dUNC did not address those relationships specifically, or any other details of the investigation, in its statement released Thursday.Steve Belichick could not be immediately reached for comment, but his wife, Jen, provided a statement on behalf of the family to ESPN. After expressing gratitude for their time in Chapel Hill, Jen noted: \u201cOur priority will always be to show up with a healthy and strong mind for ourselves and our 5 children.\u201d\u201cUnfortunately there is misinformation and speculation about our own situation,\u201d Jen continued, \u201cbut we believe prioritizing health as the most important thing you can do in this life.\u201dBill Belichick declined last week to answer whether he\u2019d been interviewed by investigators but said he understood the importance \u201cof the work that\u2019s being done by the investigative team.\u201d\u201cWe want to run the program in the very best way,\u201d he added, \u201cand if there\u2019s things we need to do to correct it, then we\u2019ll do it.\u201dDespite North Carolina\u2019s statement Thursday, questions have continued to swirl about Belichick\u2019s program and the Tar Heels\u2019 broader attitude toward compliance under his leadership. North Carolina did not host official recruiting visits last weekend during its home opener against East Tennessee State because of self-reported recruiting violations, after previously suspending cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins last season for recruiting violations. A number of UNC football players have also faced speeding and reckless driving charges during his tenure, including freshman receiver CJ Sadler, currently third on the roster in receiving yards.Away from the field, the new coaching staff caused friction with the academic side of the university. Early in Belichick and Lombardi\u2019s tenure, staffers felt pressured to misrepresent UNC\u2019s degree offerings to recruits and to increase the number of online, asynchronous classes, a person briefed on the situation said. The concerns were reported internally at the time, said the person, who spoke under condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. They especially resonate at North Carolina, a top-tier public institution that had a high-profile academic fraud scandal involving athletics a dozen years ago.One former staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution, wrote in an email to UNC leadership in January 2025 that \u201cthis new regime is doing things any way but \u2018the Carolina Way\u2019 and there is a need to be very concerned about future investigations, sanctions, and being stripped of wins and\/or privileges.\u201dThe Athletic also reported that the College Sports Commission \u2014 the year-old enforcement body that oversees revenue sharing and third-party name, image and likeness deals \u2014 has separately approached UNC about a potential investigation, with Lombardi\u2019s actions believed to be of interest, according to two people briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.According to the terms of Belichick\u2019s contract, the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach may be subject to \u201cdisciplinary or corrective action \u2026 if Coach or personnel under Coach\u2019s direct or indirect supervision, whose conduct Coach knew about, is\/are found to be in material violation of any governing requirement during the term (of his employment).\u201dThe 74-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $50 million contract, with the first three seasons fully guaranteed.When North Carolina first began its investigation, athletic director Steve Newmark confirmed that the school\u2019s Office of University Counsel was overseeing the matter. However, in early August, as the investigation continued, UNC hired outside counsel \u2014 Huff and McNair Nichols of Barnes & Thornburg LLP \u2014 to assist those efforts.\u201cWe believe the steps announced today will help make Carolina Football a stronger program,\u201d the school\u2019s statement added, \u201cand one that continues to earn the pride of the entire Carolina community.\u201dThis story will be updated. More to come.\nBrendan Marks|Staff Writer, CBBFollow Bruce Feldman|Senior Writer, CFBFollow Matt Baker|Staff Writer, CollegeFollow Sep 17, 2026SUPPORTED BYConnections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports termsSUPPORTED BYPlay today's puzzleWhat did you think of this story?MEHSOLIDAWESOME",
    "published_at": "2026-09-17T19:47:34+00:00",
    "author_name": "Brendan Marks, Bruce Feldman, Matt Baker",
    "site_name": "The Athletic",
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    "ai_headline": "UNC football investigation: Steve Belichick resigns amid allegations of drug use, inappropriate relationships",
    "ai_simplified_title": "UNC Football Investigation Leads to Steve Belichick Resignation",
    "ai_excerpt": "An investigation into the UNC football program found \"isolated\" disregard for values, leading to the resignation of defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and former GM Michael Lombardi. Allegations included drug use and inappropriate relationships, though no written report will be produced.",
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