Bill Belichick declines comment on Michael Lombardi as UNC opens investigation - ESPN

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The start of Bill Belichick's second fall camp as North Carolina's head coach started much the same as the first — with questions about off-field chaos overwhelming any discussion of the on-field product.

The school announced Monday that Michael Lombardi — Belichick's right-hand man and the highest-paid general manager at a public institution in the country, with a $1.5 million salary — has been placed on leave due to an investigation.

Three days later, UNC announced an official investigation into Lombardi's conduct had begun, while Belichick largely sidestepped questions about the impact on his team.

«We're working through some things,» Belichick said during a news conference in which reporters were told he would not comment directly on Lombardi's status.

«We're at a particular time of the year now where there are certain things that are in play, and certain things that are in play that will happen later in the calendar year. So we're taking it day to day and work through the things that are on the table right now.»

The school released a statement minutes before Belichick took to the lectern, saying that «as a result of concerns behind allegations that led to the personnel action regarding Michael Lombardi announced on July 27, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through its Office of University Counsel, is in the process of investigating this matter.»

University policy suggests most investigations into human resource matters take about 30 days, but athletic director Steve Newmark said there is no set timeline, though he added that he hopes it will be a quick process.

«From our perspective — and I think there's a recognition across the board — that the university counsel's office is