By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — Amid the backdrop of the HR investigation into General Manager Michael Lombardi, North Carolina began practice on Thursday.
Coach Bill Belichick did not address questions about Lombardi, who is on paid administrative leave, or the reported inquiries about the program from the College Sports Commission.
On the question of who is handling Lombardi’s duties, Belichick said during a morning press conference at the Kenan Football Center before practice that the staff has “made a few adjustments” and that the program is “working through the process.”
Belichick focused on the positives and stacking good days ahead of the Tar Heels’ opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29 against TCU.
Belichick said the start of practice will be built around fundamentals and steady progress rather than headlines. He framed the early days of camp as a time for acclimation and basic work, including conditioning, assignments and communication, before the team moves into more competitive, situational practice.
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“Good to always get started,” Belichick said, then outlined the timeline for ramping up intensity.
He noted the team had benefited from spring and summer work but stressed that football conditioning differs from general training.
“We had a good month of training in June, July, a month and a half. But training is training, and football’s football,” he said, adding that the staff will monitor players’ progress day to day.
The coach emphasized building a foundation first, with the expectation that scheme expansion and competitive drills will follow in weeks two and three. He described the early focus as getting fundamentals and assignments right so the team has “good pillars to build on,” a theme he returned to repeatedly as reporters pressed on personnel and preparation.
When asked about the Dublin opener against TCU, Belichick declined to get ahead of the schedule, saying the staff will tailor its approach once the opponent is in focus.
“They have different players. They have a different offensive system in place. But we’ll get to TCU when we get to TCU,” he said, underscoring that the immediate priority is internal development rather than opponent-specific game-planning.
That internal work extends to the offensive line, where Belichick said the unit is further along than it was a year ago because more players were on campus through the spring. Last season’s late arrivals left the line in an evaluation phase; this year, continuity has allowed the staff to move faster.
“Last year, half our offensive line wasn’t even here. We didn’t see them until June,” he said, noting the difference in preparation and experience.
Belichick praised Aiden Banfield and Jordan Hall for their work in the offseason and welcomed the leadership that veterans bring even if their snaps were limited last year. “Both those guys have worked really hard. I think they’re both ready to go. Excited to see them out there,” he said, adding that hav
Belichick singled out the receiving corps for its competition and depth, praising newcomers and portal additions such as Lehigh transfer Mason Humphrey, alongside returning players.
“He’s got good size, good speed. He’s been a productive player and came in and showed that in the spring,” Belichick said of Humphrey, then noted the broader competition at the position from veterans and freshmen alike.
Tight ends drew particular attention after a season of limited production; Belichick said spring work suggested the group could contribute more this year. He credited position coach Caleb Pickrell and the new faces for pushing the unit forward.
“We had more production from those guys in the spring than we had the entire year last year,” he said.
Linebacker was another area Belichick described as essentially rebuilt. With significant turnover, the staff leaned on returning leaders and newcomers to establish a new identity at the position. He singled out redshirt freshman Jake Bauer, redshirt sophomore Timir Hickman-Collins, redshirt sophomore Jonathan Agumadu, graduate student Derek McDonald, junior Peyton Seelmann, freshman Jordan Avinger and freshman DQ Forkpa.
“It’s a really good group from top to bottom,” Belichick said.
The quarterback competition remains open, with Belichick offering a measured assessment of each candidate’s strengths. He said there is no set timeline for naming a starter and that the decision will come when it becomes “apparent and clear.”
“Billy Edwards has played a lot of football and had a lot of competition,” Belichick said of the assumed favorite.
He described redshirt sophomore Miles O’Neill as “a very talented player, one of the best athletes on the team,” and noted that redshirt freshman Au’Tori Newkirk and freshman Travis Burgess have shown steady improvement.
Throughout the session, Belichick returned to a simple refrain about process and progress: stack good days, evaluate constantly and take things one step at a time.
“One step at a time, one day at a time. Really, that’s our focus,” he said.
Photo via YouTube screenshot
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