CHAPEL HILL — The lawyer leading an investigation into the University of North Carolina’s football program said Thursday that the wide-ranging probe examined allegations of drug use, sexual relationships and workplace culture — affirming previous reporting by WRAL News.
In a briefing Thursday, lawyer Nate Huff detailed the scope of the inquiry in the hours after UNC announced the resignation of defensive coordinator Steve Belichick — the second top program leader to resign in the wake of the investigation. Huff and his team won’t produce a written report.
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WRAL previously reported that investigators had questioned people close to the program about whether Steve Belichick had used drugs on the job or whether he provided drugs to at least one player. Steve Belichick — the son of head coach Bill Belichick — hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment, including another attempt on Thursday.
The departure comes two weeks after the resignation of general manager Michael Lombardi, a longtime confidant of Bill Belichick, who had been placed on paid administrative leave before the season. He resigned Sept. 3, moments before WRAL published a report about the expanding internal investigation.
Investigators on Thursday declined to provide specifics — such as names — about the allegations they were probing, citing attorney-client privilege. But they offered insight into the topics they focused on and what they’re doing with the information they gathered.
“The category of issues that we looked at included allegations related to drugs, and I investigated those allegations,” said Huff, the private lawyer who was hired to lead the investigation. “... University leadership can consider and make decisions about what, if any, corrective actions need to be made.”
UNC didn’t give an explicit reason for Steve Belichick’s resignation. But it announced the departure in the same statement describing findings of its internal investigation into the “culture and climate” of the football program.
The statement also mentioned Lombardi’s departure, but it didn’t say whether his resignation was a direct result of the investigation. Lombardi hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment. Lombardi’s attorney, Tom Mars, previously told WRAL that Lombardi had been interviewed by investigators and that his client had complied with the investigation. Mars has publicly called the investigation a “witch hunt.”
“The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct,” UNC said in its statement. “The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.”
Investigators said they conducted 60 interviews — including at least one with Bill Belichick — and asked people close to the program about allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships between members of the recruiting staff, coaching staff and at least one player, also affirming previous reporting by WRAL.“All necessary corrective actions are now underway and will be overseen by Carolina Athletics and the Office of University Counsel,” UNC said. And while the university said its review is complete, it didn’t close the door to further possible action.
“Should credible new information arise, the university will evaluate it and take appropriate action consistent with its policies and responsibilities,” UNC said.
Allegations made by former employees sparked the investigation, lawyers said Thursday.
“We instructed Nate to follow the evidence without restriction on our part and with the expectation that his work would allow us to identify conduct that did not meet our values,” Paul Newton, UNC’s general counsel, said during the briefing.
Newton added: “My job is to take the long view of the culture of this university and make sure that I advance a culture that allows people to feel safe about raising concerns.”
Huff said he wasn’t targeting any individual person but was looking at the entire football program. He said he was instructed to conduct a broad investigation that encompassed more than simply the allegations from former employees.
“Part of my work was looking backwards, helping the university understand what happened. But part of it was looking forward,” said Huff, a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner at the law firm Barnes & Thornburg.
Huff said he had access to the entire football program, even during the season, and that Bill Belichick made all members of his staff available to investigators.
“I had full run of the facility and the people that I needed to do my work, and I was able to do that thoroughly, and I made my recommendations and findings available to my client,” Huff said.
Huff said part of the investigation centered on the working environment in the football program.
“Is it a safe and respectful environment?” he said. “Do the young people who work there have good supervision and mentorship and all that? So the questions you’re asking get to that, too, which might be more important than who’s sleeping with who.”
Steve Belichick out
Belichick is in the final year of a two-year, $2.7 million contract. The former University of Washington coordinator has been on medical leave for more than a month. His resignation will be effective on Oct. 27, when the medical leave ends, UNC said. Specifics about his leave haven’t been publicly disclosed by the university.
“We are grateful for our time and our opportunity in Chapel Hill, and we are very proud of our influence on the positive direction of the program,” Jen Belichick, Steve Belichick’s wife, told ESPN in a statement.
“There is misinformation and speculation about our own situation,” she added, “but we believe prioritizing health as the most important thing you can do in this life and is invaluable compared to anything else.”
UNC also said in its statement Thursday that, separate from the investigation, freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman has been suspended indefinitely by the program. Chapman faces a gun charge after a traffic stop Tuesday. Chapman was a passenger in the vehicle, according to police.
“Chapman’s suspension, like the actions resulting from the investigation, reflect the university’s commitment to accountability and the well-being of its student athletes,” the university said. “We believe the steps announced today will help make Carolina Football a stronger program and one that continues to earn the pride of the entire Carolina community.”
North Carolina (2-0) visits Clemson (1-1) for its first ACC game of the season Saturday. Chapman and fellow wide receiver C.J. Sadler aren’t expected to play in the game. In addition to Chapman's gun charge, Sadler was cited for driving at least 60 mph in a 35-mph zone following the traffic stop on Tuesday.
The resignations, Chapman’s gun citation and new details about the investigation add to a multilayered saga that has unfolded since UNC hired NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick in late 2024 to elevate its football program. The head coach’s tenure has generated far more off-field headlines than on-field success, including allegations of a divided locker room, questions about the influence his girlfriend has over his media projects, a spate of traffic citations and parking complaints, and the suspension of an assistant coach that coincided with a memo reminding members of the program that selling complimentary tickets could violate NCAA rules.
Full UNC statement
UNC issued a detailed statement Thursday on its investigation, Belichick and Chapman. Here is the full statement:
“The University has concluded a thorough and independent investigation into allegations related to culture and climate within the Carolina football program.
“The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct. The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.
“As the University previously announced, General Manager Michael Lombardi resigned from the program effective September 3. Steve Belichick has resigned from his position of defensive coordinator, effective October 27, 2026, following the conclusion of his current medical leave.
“Throughout the investigation, the University has been guided by the legal advice of outside counsel. All necessary corrective actions are now underway and will be overseen by Carolina Athletics and the Office of University Counsel. With these actions, the University considers the investigation to be resolved.
“Consistent with University policy regarding personnel matters, there will be no further comment on individuals. As always, should credible new information arise, the University will evaluate it and take appropriate action consistent with its policies and responsibilities.
"Separately, Carolina Football has suspended Keeyun Chapman from the team indefinitely in connection with an incident Tuesday night. Chapman’s suspension, like the actions resulting from the investigation, reflect the University’s commitment to accountability and the well-being of its student athletes. We believe the steps announced today will help make Carolina Football a stronger program and one that continues to earn the pride of the entire Carolina community.”