North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi making over $1.5 million in 2025
Michael Lombardi's North Carolina salary stands out among college football programs that have general managers.
According to USA Today's salary database, the former NFL scout is making over $1.5 million this season and has a buyout of over $3 million. Those figures are by far the highest of the 49 salaries compiled by the outlet. The second-highest paid general manager is Ohio State's Mark Pantoni at $900,000, and his buyout is more than $1 million less than Lombardi's.
Belichick's UNC salary of $10.1 million this year ranks ninth among all college head coaches. He makes $75,000 less than Brian Kelly does at LSU and just over $1 million more than Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.
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General managers have become more common in college football in recent seasons as programs navigate name, image and likeness deals for athletes now that players can make money off their own image rights.
Overall, just 13 people are making $500,000 in school pay with titles similar to Lombardi's. He came to North Carolina along with Bill Belichick when the former Patriots coach was hired to succeed Mack Brown in December. In addition to his role as general manager, Lombardi has also taken the role of appearing on the weekly North Carolina coaches show instead of Belichick. The six-time Super Bowl winner's contract stipulated that he only needed to make limited appearances on the radio show.
Lombardi's tenure has not exactly been smooth so far. North Carolina has received way more attention for Belichick's relationship with Jordon Hudson and the drama surrounding the team than it has for any success on the field.
North Carolina is Belichick's first college coaching job, and Lombardi hadn't worked in college football since he was the recruiting coordinator for UNLV more than 40 years ago. Lombardi boasted not long after taking the job at North Carolina that the Tar Heels considered themselves to be the NFL's 33rd team" since there was so much pro football experience among those working for the team.
That hasn't translated to college success to date. North Carolina has yet to beat a power conference opponent. UNC is 2-4 heading into its game on Saturday against No. 16 Virginia and is a 10.5-point underdog at BetMGM.