Michael Lombardi says UNC football considers itself ‘33rd team’ in NFL under Bill Belichick

Posted by author February 11, 2025 Football

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The Tar Heels are prioritizing player development above all else.
UNC will recruit nationally, leveraging its brand and Belichick’s reputation.

CHAPEL HILL — UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi says the Tar Heels are approaching the Bill Belichick era with the mindset of being the “33rd team” in the NFL.

“Everything we do here is predicated on building a pro team,” Lombardi said Tuesday during a 28-minute press conference with media members inside the Kenan Football Center.

“We consider ourselves the 33rd (NFL) team, ‘cause everybody who’s involved in our program has had some form of aspect in pro football.”

UNC football hasn’t officially released a list of names added to its coaching and support staff, but many of the folks reportedly joining the program have ties to Belichick and the NFL.

Lombardi covered several topics about recruiting, player development and what to expect at UNC under Belichick, who was hired in mid-December after nearly 50 years coaching in the NFL.

Everything goes back to adopting a pro-like model, building a team like Lombardi did for more than three decades as an NFL executive while Belichick and the staff implement a day-to-day approach similar to how things are done in the NFL.

“I think the main focus for what we want to deal with is: our program is really based on player development,” Lombardi said.

“I think Coach Belichick often said, ‘Talent sets the floor, character determines the ceiling.’ Every player that we bring in is really about us developing. That development comes from their ability to grasp the system.”

Six freshmen signed prior to Belichick’s arrival, but UNC added 21 players (17 transfers, four freshmen) in late January and 19 more (17 freshmen, two transfers) by National Signing Day on Feb. 5. When asked about UNC’s recruiting footprint and its recent willingness to look at players from coast to coast, Lombardi said the Tar Heels “shouldn’t limit” themselves to certain areas of the country.

“We have a great brand. We have this UNC logo that is worldwide, so we shouldn’t limit ourselves. I think that we can walk into any school and say, ‘We’re North Carolina, we have the greatest coach in the history of football, and we have a great university. Come play for us.’ I think it’s a powerful message,” Lombardi said.

“. … We’re gonna be a national program, and we’re not gonna back down to some other programs, because we’re North Carolina. We’ll stand on firm ground against anyone.”

UNC hasn’t released its spring schedule, but the Tar Heels kick off the Belichick era and 2025 season against TCU on Monday, Sept. 1 (7:30 p.m., ESPN) to cap off Labor Day weekend.

“I know everybody’s gonna ask what the expectations are,” Lombardi said. “Our expectations are: we’re gonna get better every day. That’s what we have to do, that’s what we’re prepared to do, and that’s all we can control.”

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.