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
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
UNC Football at Pittsburgh (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff TimeUNC will head up to the Steel City Saturday to face No. 25 Pitt, which enters the game with a 5-0 record. The Tar Heels have won 8 of 11 meetings with the Panthers since they joined the ACC. If you aren’t traveling north with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: […]
Against Wounded Pitt, UNC Football Seeks More Consistency — And a WinStop me if you’ve heard this before: UNC has a chance for a key road win against a team which is making a quarterback change.
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: PittsburghUNC will make the trip up north to face No. 25 Pittsburgh Saturday. The Panthers are making their debut in the AP Top 25 this week after beginning the season 5-0. Pitt is coming off a thrilling 35-33 win at Virginia Tech which saw the Hokies miss a potential game-winning field goal as time expired. […]
With a Long Stretch Ahead, UNC Football Can't Afford to Look BackwardInstead of taking any sort of moral victory from Saturday's loss to No. 3 Notre Dame, UNC is focusing on its long road ahead.
No. 3 Notre Dame Pulls Away in Second Half, Beats UNC Football in Chapel HillNo. 3 Notre Dame imposed its will in the second half at a rainy Kenan Stadium, pulling away from a spunky Tar Heel team for a 37-26 win Saturday. “Hard-fought game,” head coach Bill Belichick said afterward. “Proud of the way our guys competed. We just weren’t able to make enough plays, really in any […]
As a Heavy Underdog, UNC Football Focusing on Itself vs. No. 3 Notre DameWill UNC beat No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday at a sold-out Kenan Stadium? History tells us that’s not likely to happen.
UNC Football vs. Notre Dame (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff TimeUNC will return to action Saturday when it hosts No. 3 Notre Dame at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels have lost five straight meetings with the Fighting Irish and have not logged a win since 2008. If you aren’t attending the sold-out game in person, here’s how to follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those […]
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Notre DameUNC will host No. 3 Notre Dame at Kenan Stadium Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. It’s the first meeting between the two schools since 2022. The Fighting Irish enter Saturday’s game with a 4-0 record, having won each of their games by at least 17 points. Notre Dame is also just two years removed from […]
Chansky's Notebook: Snap DecisionsArt Chansky says it may be time for Bill Belichick and UNC to make a change at the quarterback position following Saturday's loss at Clemson.
UNC Football Rues Missed Opportunities, Looks Forward After Loss at ClemsonUNC has only itself to blame after letting a golden opportunity to finally beat Clemson wash away in a soggy Death Valley.
›
