UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi Lombardi makes $1.5 million per year. Photo: Lance King/Getty Images
UNC football's general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave, the university announced Monday.
Why it matters: Lombardi's leave is the latest in a string of drama surrounding the Bill Belichick-era Tar Heels and comes just a few days before preseason camp kicks off.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the school's decision stems from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee. Axios has not yet independently confirmed that report.
Driving the news: The university announced the leave in a press release Monday morning with few details included.
"As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits," university spokesperson Dean Stoyer said in the statement.
Lombardi makes $1.5 million per year, according to UNC System records.
State of play: Even before the Lombardi news, UNC's football season was starting with little fanfare in Belichick's second year. UNC's season kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29 against TCU.
ESPN projections have UNC finishing 15th out of the ACC's 17 teams this season. It is the lowest of all the ACC schools in the state.
The big picture: The North Carolina team with the most expectations will be N.C. State, who is returning quarterback CJ Bailey despite significant interest in the transfer portal.
The Wolfpack have the eighth-best odds of winning the ACC championship this year, according to FanDuel.
