Just hours after Bill Belichick’s hiring as UNC’s new head coach, the Tar Heels have made public the first addition to their football staff. Meet Michael Lombardi, North Carolina’s new general manager. Here are seven key aspects of Lombardi’s background:
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- Extensive NFL Executive Experience: Lombardi has held significant roles with multiple NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots. His responsibilities have encompassed scouting, player personnel management and serving as general manager. He got his start in 1987, serving as an area scout for Bill Walsh with the 49ers.
- Collaboration with Bill Belichick: Lombardi has a longstanding professional relationship with new UNC coach Bill Belichick, having worked together with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Their partnership has contributed to multiple Super Bowl victories. Belichick said this about Lombardi: “Mike’s…one of the smartest people I’ve worked with. He was huge asset to me for the two years he was here…he studies football and he knows it very well.” (2016, Comcast Sports Network).
- Media and Analytical Roles: After his tenure with the Patriots, Lombardi transitioned to media, serving as an analyst for NFL Network and sportswriter at NFL.com. He also hosted “The GM Shuffle” podcast and contributed to the Vegas Stats & Information Network, his employer at the time of the UNC GM announcement.
- Authorship: Lombardi is the author of “Gridiron Genius: A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in the NFL,” which offers insights into successful football management and coaching strategies.
- Collegiate Recruiting Background: Early in his career, Lombardi served as the recruiting coordinator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from 1981 to 1984, providing him with an early experience in college football operations.
- Educational Background: Lombardi played defensive lineman and long snapper at Hofstra University from 1977 to 1981.
- Family Ties in Football: Lombardi’s commitment to football extends to his family; his son, Mick Lombardi, has served as an NFL coach, including roles with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. Another son, Matt, has coached with the San Francisco 49ers. Lombardi is not related to famous Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi.
“I’m excited to join Coach Belichick at North Carolina,” Lombardi said in a release Wednesday evening. “Although leaving my VSIN family will be hard, I’m excited to return to helping build a winning program. I’m forever thankful for all the great people at VSIN, especially Bill Adee and the Musburger family.”
