University of North Carolina Athletics
Veteran NFL Exec Michael Lombardi Named Football GM
December 17, 2024 | Football
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Michael Lombardi, a three-time Super Bowl champion as an executive with over 30 years of experience in NFL front offices, has been named General Manager of the North Carolina football program.
"Working with Coach Belichick has always been one of the most rewarding times of my life," Lombardi said. "Reuniting here at UNC is a dream come true. Chapel Hill is a magical place, and the University is one of the greatest in the country. I'm thankful to Chancellor Lee Roberts and Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham for the opportunity to restore greatness to UNC football and make all of the great players who came before us proud of our team."
Lombardi's career in the NFL has been spent working with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
"Michael knows how to build a champion and brings a great deal of quality experience to the UNC program," Belichick said. "I am excited to be reunited with Michael, and we will rely on his expertise in evaluating and acquiring talent for the Tar Heel program."
He joined the NFL personnel ranks in 1984, spending three seasons in the personnel department of the San Francisco 49ers, working with legendary coach Bill Walsh and winning Super Bowl XIX following the 1984 season.
Lombardi then spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns as a scout and director of player personnel. He was named the team's personnel director in 1989 and was promoted to director of player personnel in 1993. The Browns qualified for the playoffs three times during his tenure in Cleveland, including advancing to the AFC Championship game twice.
After his first stint in Cleveland, Lombardi spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in the personnel department. Lombardi was a part of the personnel team responsible for laying the groundwork for the Eagles when they qualified for the playoffs five consecutive years (2000-04), including four straight trips to the NFC Championship game.
In 1999, he joined the Oakland Raiders for eight seasons in the player personnel department. Oakland captured three straight AFC West titles (2000-02) and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII while he was a member of the organization.
Lombardi spent a year with the Denver Broncos in the personnel department and was the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns in 2013, before becoming an assistant to the coaching staff in New England with Belichick.
Prior to arriving in Chapel Hill, Lombardi worked as a media analyst for multiple outlets. He is the author of two best-selling football books, Gridiron Genius and Football Done Right.
Lombardi was a three-year letterman as a defensive lineman at Hofstra University. He and his wife Millie have two sons, Mick and Matthew, who are both currently coaching.
"Working with Coach Belichick has always been one of the most rewarding times of my life," Lombardi said. "Reuniting here at UNC is a dream come true. Chapel Hill is a magical place, and the University is one of the greatest in the country. I'm thankful to Chancellor Lee Roberts and Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham for the opportunity to restore greatness to UNC football and make all of the great players who came before us proud of our team."
Lombardi's career in the NFL has been spent working with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
"Michael knows how to build a champion and brings a great deal of quality experience to the UNC program," Belichick said. "I am excited to be reunited with Michael, and we will rely on his expertise in evaluating and acquiring talent for the Tar Heel program."
He joined the NFL personnel ranks in 1984, spending three seasons in the personnel department of the San Francisco 49ers, working with legendary coach Bill Walsh and winning Super Bowl XIX following the 1984 season.
Lombardi then spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns as a scout and director of player personnel. He was named the team's personnel director in 1989 and was promoted to director of player personnel in 1993. The Browns qualified for the playoffs three times during his tenure in Cleveland, including advancing to the AFC Championship game twice.
After his first stint in Cleveland, Lombardi spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in the personnel department. Lombardi was a part of the personnel team responsible for laying the groundwork for the Eagles when they qualified for the playoffs five consecutive years (2000-04), including four straight trips to the NFC Championship game.
In 1999, he joined the Oakland Raiders for eight seasons in the player personnel department. Oakland captured three straight AFC West titles (2000-02) and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII while he was a member of the organization.
Lombardi spent a year with the Denver Broncos in the personnel department and was the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns in 2013, before becoming an assistant to the coaching staff in New England with Belichick.
Prior to arriving in Chapel Hill, Lombardi worked as a media analyst for multiple outlets. He is the author of two best-selling football books, Gridiron Genius and Football Done Right.
Lombardi was a three-year letterman as a defensive lineman at Hofstra University. He and his wife Millie have two sons, Mick and Matthew, who are both currently coaching.
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