All articles tagged with #north carolina tar heels
Steve Belichick, UNC's defensive coordinator and Bill Belichick's son, is on medical leave with few details disclosed, prompting a canceled media session; UNC's defense is staffed by his brother and Bob Diaco, and the program is also dealing with Michael Lombardi's paid administrative leave amid an HR-related investigation as the Tar Heels prepare for the Aug. 29 season opener against TCU in Dublin.
North Carolina placed GM Michael Lombardi on administrative leave amid an HR complaint and possible College Sports Commission inquiry, a development that underscores ongoing turmoil from Bill Belichick’s staff overhaul at UNC. Critics say Lombardi’s NFL‑centric, high‑ego approach and staff decisions have sabotaged UNC’s program, despite a high salary for him and Belichick. With training camp starting and a Week 0 date against TCU looming, the Tar Heels face a pivotal point in salvaging their season and credibility.
North Carolina placed general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation prompted by a complaint from a former front office employee, with the university offering no details on merits. ESPN’s Pete Thamel linked the move to the probe, while Bruce Feldman publicly castigated Lombardi on The Audible, calling him “the worst general manager in college sports” and criticizing Bill Belichick’s role in hiring him. UNC declined to comment further or provide a timeline, and the situation adds to a long run of critical coverage of Lombardi’s tenure.
UNC football is dealing with a fresh setback as general manager Michael Lombardi is placed on paid administrative leave while the College Sports Commission investigates NIL and revenue-sharing practices, linked to a former HR complaint, creating uncertainty for Bill Belichick’s second season after a disappointing 4-8 finish.
Oklahoma seized the 2026 College World Series, routing North Carolina 13-2 in Game 3 to clinch their first CWS title since 1994 and third in program history. After dropping Game 2, the Sooners rode a potent offense to a decisive win, with Jaxon Willits reaching base five times, Dayton Tockey homering, and Kyle Branch adding a late three-run shot as Oklahoma completed a dramatic postseason run that included a Game 1 victory and a 2-1 series finish in the finals.
North Carolina and Oklahoma meet in Game 2 of the Men’s College World Series finals in Omaha, with UNC sending sophomore Ryan Lynch to the mound and Oklahoma countering with freshman Xander Mercurius. Caden Glauber could enter if Lynch struggles, and UNC is 28-0 when Glauber pitches. Mercurius recently delivered a 7.1-inning, 9-strikeout outing against Georgia. Oklahoma won Game 1 9-3 to take a 1-0 series edge, and history shows four of the last 10 MCWS champions won Game 1, underscoring the stakes of Game 2 and a potential Game 3 if needed.
Oklahoma rode a 14-hit attack to a 9-3 win over North Carolina in Game 1 of the College World Series finals, with Cord Rager settling after a rough first inning and the Sooners swiping three bases. Key moments included Deiten LaChance’s early two-run homer and a four-run fourth highlighted by Kyle Branch’s two-run single, while Carolina’s offense cooled after the opening frame. Carter French contributed a spectacular outfield catch, Tom Chmielewski provided two scoreless innings, and UNC will attempt to even the series in Game 2.
North Carolina and Oklahoma will duel for the College World Series title in Omaha after each advanced to the finals; UNC swept through the bracket undefeated to reach its first finals since 2007, while Oklahoma rode power hitting and freshman pitching to its second finals appearance in four seasons following dramatic regional comebacks. The best-of-three series starts Saturday at 8 p.m. EDT at Charles Schwab Field, with game two Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and a potential deciding game Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.
Caleb Wilson, a high-upside two-way forward who starred at Holy Innocents’ and North Carolina, is viewed as a likely top-4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft thanks to elite athleticism, playmaking and versatility. Coaches praise his work ethic, IQ, and ability to impact games with drives, passes and rim finishes, though questions remain about his 3-point shooting, frame and defensive consistency translating to the NBA. If he reaches his ceiling, he could become a franchise-changing player, and he remains focused on pursuing greatness with the right coach and development.
Carolina defeated Ole Miss 6-2 in the College World Series, powered by Jason DeCaro’s 6.2-inning gem with nine strikeouts and Colin Hynek’s three-run homer, plus a seventh-inning rally sparked by Carter French’s bunt and Gavin Gallaher’s RBI single to seize the lead; UNC advances to face West Virginia.
UNC led 5-1 at Boshamer Stadium but USC erupted with an eight-run rally, punctuated by Dean Carpentier’s 355-foot grand slam that gave the Trojans the lead, followed by three more runs in the seventh to seal the comeback and take game one of the NCAA super regional, leaving UNC one loss from Omaha and setting up a must-win game two for Saturday with Jason DeCaro on the mound.
Baseball America previews the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament super regional between North Carolina and USC, noting UNC's strong run-prevention pitching and Hull's standout season, while USC relies on ace Mason Edwards and a surging offense; the piece projects USC to win if Edwards dominates and the Trojan lineup stays hot.
Colin Hynek delivered the pivotal moment with a 415-foot homer off Luke Payne to erase a three-run ECU lead and tie the game at 3-3, then UNC rode the momentum to a 7-5 win, adding four runs in the fifth and sixth as it moved within one win of a third straight super regional appearance. Hynek, who transferred from Georgia State, provided the spark UNC needed to flip the result in Saturday’s winners’ bracket game at Boshamer Stadium.
North Carolina will start Ryan Lynch on Friday in the NCAA regional opener vs. VCU, marking the Tar Heels’ first time since 2023 that coach Scott Forbes has saved his ace for game two. Jason DeCaro is slated for a potential game two against East Carolina or Tennessee. Lynch carries a 4.44 ERA and was previously the Saturday starter, while DeCaro owned a 2.03 ERA and 10-2 record before last Friday’s ACC Tournament. UNC needs solid pitching to navigate a tough regional field after a limited showing in the ACC Tournament.
UNC unveiled its 2026-27 basketball schedule: an 18-game ACC with seven games at Chapel Hill, seven on the road, and home-and-away matchups with Duke and Louisville; Clemson is off UNC's ACC slate for the first time in 51 years, while UNC will meet NC State just once in league play. The non-conference slate includes Western Carolina, Wofford, Wyoming, Georgia, Marshall, Georgetown, Kentucky (CBS Sports Classic at MSG), and The Citadel. UNC also announced a Butler home-and-home for 2026-27 and 2027-28, with the 2026-27 opener at UNC in November or December 2026. The calendar allows room for a Thanksgiving-week game or event, and there are unconfirmed reports of West Virginia in Charlotte; the team is still awaiting its ACC-SEC Challenge opponent.