09/17/26 09:47:00
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09/17 09:45 CDT UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigns, probe into
conduct in football program concludes
UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigns, probe into conduct in
football program concludes
By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer
North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, the son of head coach
Bill Belichick, has resigned from his position as the school concludes a probe
into its football program.
The school released a statement Thursday morning saying Steve Belichick's
resignation would be effective in late October at the conclusion of a medical
leave, which was announced early in preseason camp.
That comes after the school's investigation "determined that certain actions
demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct,"
according to the statement. The school didn't reveal specifics of those actions
found by the review, nor had it discussed details of the investigation launched
in late July.
"The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not
a systemic failure," the school said.
The school had previously announced the resignation of general manager Michael
Lombardi amid the probe. Lombardi was an immediate hire of Bill Belichick in
his NFL-to-college transition as a six-time Super Bowl winner with the New
England Patriots.
In Bill Belichick's first news conference after Lombardi's Sept. 3 resignation,
he faced questions that largely dealt nothing with football. Belichick said he
believes his program "totally" has an atmosphere of following rules, saying:
"Obviously everybody's responsible, including me, for doing things properly.
And we intend to do that."
That same day, UNC vice chancellor for communications Dean Stoyer --- who
released Thursday's statement --- said the school "continues to support Bill
Belichick and the Carolina football program."
The school announced its probe in late July in the days after putting Lombardi
on paid administrative leave. The same day Lombardi resigned, WRAL of Raleigh
cited anonymous sources in reporting the type of questions asked of some
interviewees, with some focusing on Steve Belichick.
Additionally, Lombardi attorney Tom Mars told The Athletic that the school's
probe now included questions into potential "inappropriate" relationships that
didn't involve his client. Mars didn't return a call or email from The
Associated Press regarding that comment at the time.
The school on Thursday declined to comment on individuals in the probe, citing
university policy on personnel matters. UNC said that "all necessary corrective
actions are now underway" and that it considers the investigation to be
"resolved."
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