Bill Belichick rarely has much to say, about anything. (Unless, of course, the subject is the evolution of interior offensive line play in the single-wing offense.)
Regarding the placement of his G.M./consigliere Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave, Belichick didn’t have much to say.
“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,” Belichick said regarding the manner in which Lombardi’s duties are being delegated internally. “So we’re taking it day to day and work through the things that are on the table right now.”
Belichick also said, as to how the absence of Lombardi impact Belichick’s job, “We’ve made a few adjustments, yeah. But I mean we’re, you know, we’re working through the process.”
It’s no surprise. North Carolina has made it clear that mum will be the word regarding the investigation that sparked Lombardi’s placement on immediate leave.
Still, the school clearly isn’t pleased that it’s dealing with the Lombardi situation.
“I’m disappointed that we’re talking about this,” UNC chancellor Lee Roberts said Thursday, via David Hale of ESPN. “We should be focusing on our student-athletes and on their success. . . . It’s distressing to me and everyone else in the administration entrusted with leadership at this remarkable university that this is something we have to spend time on.”
While the outcome of the investigation and any impact on Lombardi’s employment status remain to be seen, it currently feels like he won’t be back. And few tears will be shed over that.
As recently explained by Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing, the downfall of Lombardi has united sports media in a way few things can. For example, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic eviscerated Lombardi: “Arrogance plus incompetence is a lethal combination.”
None of this surprises anyone who followed Lombardi’s NFL career — especially after Pablo Torre devoted an episode of his podcast last year to taking a closer look at some of the claims Lombardi has made about his role in building Super Bowl champions.
Lombardi’s role in the disaster that has been Belichick’s dalliance in college football is undeniable. And Lombardi’s involvement very well could be over.
Which actually could make things better in Chapel Hill.
