The UNC football program will not host any unofficial or official recruiting visits at its home opener against East Tennessee State Saturday afternoon. A university spokesman confirmed the news, which was first reported by Inside Carolina Wednesday.
“Last season we self-reported a violation through our normal university compliance measures,” the spokesman told Chapelboro. “We are still permitted to host official visits this weekend but have decided as a program to concentrate our official visits on the remaining five home games.”
The statement went on to say that the situation has been “properly resolved” and that the university worked with the NCAA on an “appropriate and corrective” response to the violations.
The recruiting ban comes less than a week after the resignation of UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi, who had been placed on paid administrative leave in late July. Since then, WRAL has published a report detailing a larger investigation into the program and its compliance with NCAA rules. UNC has not yet named a replacement for Lombardi. Last season, the program also suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins in October for a violation of NCAA rules, reported to be in connection with providing improper benefits. He was reinstated later that month.
In a press conference Monday, UNC head coach Bill Belichick said he believed his program was “totally” compliant with NCAA rules, and that he had addressed the investigation with his team. WRAL reports the investigation could potentially implicate defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, Bill’s son. Steve Belichick has been absent from the program on medical leave since the beginning of fall training camp.
The Tar Heels and East Tennessee State will kick off at 12 p.m. Saturday in Kenan Stadium.
Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Chance Bragg
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