To this point, Belichick has remained committed to North Carolina, even as his coaching staff has yet to take shape. With rumors swirling that his lack of a coaching staff could signal his intent to spurn the Tar Heels and go back to the NFL, Lombardi stepped in to shoot down those concerns.

Whispers continue to suggest Belichick would welcome a return to the NFL and the opportunity to break Don Shula's league record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined).

Mike Lombardi isn’t letting Bill Belichick take any heat for his North Carolina hires, or lack thereof. Following a report from Pro Football Talk that claimed Belichick’s hiring process is “making people nervous” at the university,

Steve Belichick, UNC's defensive coordinator, held the same position last year with the Huskies. With his arrival to the Tar Heels, North Carolina has three incoming transfers from Washington, including Waters. The Tar Heels' highest-rated outgoing transfer this offseason has been OT Howard Sampson (Texas Tech).

The Tar Heels’ football program continues its transformation as Belichick brings in talent from CFP-featured programs and NFL pedigrees.