What happened: Michael Lombardi had been on paid administrative leave since July 27 while the university investigated a personnel matter. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported the leave stemmed from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front-office employee.

Why it matters: His departure removes a key personnel executive early in Bill Belichick's second season at North Carolina. Recruiting and roster-management duties must be redistributed as the 2026 season begins.

What to watch: Watch for North Carolina to name a successor or formalize an interim structure for its football front office.