Former Patriots staffer reportedly joining Bill Belichick at UNC

Bill Belichick is reportedly finalizing a deal to be the next head coach at the University of North Carolina, and it looks like he isn’t going alone.

Former Patriots assistant to the coaching staff Michael Lombardi is leaving VSiN to serve as the new general manager at North Carolina. VSiN revealed the news in a social media statement on Wednesday.

“VSiN host @mlombardiNFL leaving to join Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina,” the statement read. “Lombardi will serve as the football program’s GM. We wish him the best!”

Inside Carolina reported on Wednesday that Carolina and Belichick were closing in on a deal. Per The Athletic, it’s a five-year, $50 million deal for Belichick, who will be 73 years old when he stands on the Tar Heels sideline for the first time.

Coaching at the collegiate level will be a different challenge with recruiting, NIL, and the fact that Belichick will go from coaching grown men to kids out of high school.

But if anyone can make the jump, it would be a six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach.