Steve Belichick, the eldest son of University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick, is under investigation for his alleged actions as the Tar Heels’ defensive coordinator.
Lawyers hired by UNC have questioned whether Steve, 39, used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player, according to a report by WRAL on Thursday, September 3.
Steve was placed on indefinite medical leave by the football program last month, just weeks before the start of the season.
“That’s a medical situation, so I really can’t make any further comment on it,” Bill, 74, said during an August 6 press conference, adding, “We coach defense collectively as staff, and we will continue to do that.”
Bill said the team would “look forward to getting him back as soon as possible.”
However, Steve did not make the trip to Dublin for North Carolina’s season opener against TCU on August 29, a 15-10 win for the Tar Heels.
The suspicions about Steven are part of a larger investigation that was launched in July, which ultimately resulted in the resignation of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi on Thursday.
Lombardi, 50, had been on paid administrative leave since July in the wake of a human resources complaint filed against him by a former North Carolina front office employee.
“I want to thank Chancellor [Lee] Roberts and Bill Belichick for the opportunity to serve as the GM of UNC Football,” Lombardi said in a statement released through his lawyer on Thursday. “I have decided it’s best for me to resign my position as GM to allow the team to focus on the ‘26 season.”
The investigation is also looking into claims that a member of North Carolina’s recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player and possible sexual relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff, according to WRAL.
“The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns,” the school said in a statement on Thursday.
Us has reached out to the University of North Carolina for further comment about Steve.
Steve was preparing to enter his second season as the Tar Heels’ defensive coordinator, having joined his father’s staff after the legendary former Patriots coach made the jump to college football in January 2025. He was previously on Bill’s coaching staff in New England from 2012 to 2023, and served as the University of Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2024.
North Carolina next hits the field on Saturday, September 12, when they host East Tennessee State in their home opener.
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