Bill Belichick, Lee Roberts and Steve Newmark were under the spotlight on Thursday, and not for the reasons you'd typically expect on the first day of training camp.
The trio of stakeholders at the University of North Carolina had to face the media, a group that was hungry for information on the latest investigation regarding general manager Michael Lombardi.
In typical Belichick fashion, the head coach of the Tar Heels didn't give much information regarding the situation, but did note how the program is going with a "all hands on deck" approach to fill Lombardi's role while this investigation is ongoing.
Roberts, UNC's Chancellor, was more direct in expressing his disappointment over the situation, citing how Thursday should've been a day focused on the student-athletes who are preparing for the new season.
UNC Chancellor’s stern quote paints disappointing picture over the Michael Lombardi issue
That left Newmark, the new Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina. Of course, this was not something he envisioned when he took over the job officially just a few weeks ago, but it's something he navigated quite well with the media when he faced them on Thursday.
Steve Newmark hoping for an "expedited process" in the Michael Lombardi investigation
Newmark is hopeful that this process will be an expedited one, a thought process that emphasizes the importance of putting together a fair investigation but also understanding the impact it has on the program and it's athletes.
Let's face it: the less distractions, the better for the UNC football program.
Newmark's full statement on the Lombardi investigation can be found below:
“Any time we have allegations around a personnel matter, it’s the obligation and duty of a university as stewards of our students, faculty, and the whole UNC community to take it seriously, to evaluate, to figure out what are the appropriate next steps. In this case, we now have the Office of University Counsel leading investigation.
We’re going to let that process play out. It’s paramount for us to do what’s right to make sure it’s a full and fair review, and that we don’t do anything to compromise the integrity of the process. And because there’s so many confidential personnel details, that’s why there is so much restraint on sharing anything while the process plays out.
From our perspective, and we believe this will be the case, we’re hopeful that it’ll be an expedited process because, essentially, what is important to us is trying to make sure we’re doing what’s right for the university and the athletic department and our student athletes is to ensure that once we get those results of the process, we take into consideration and then we act quickly on whether whatever action may be appropriate based on those findings.”
Now, the program isn't going to rush a decision, allowing due process to occur. However, Newmark let it be known that they will act quickly once the findings do surface, a sign that the university and the athletics department have no desire to let this situation linger.
Whenever those finds come along, expect the university to act quickly to determine what is the right way to proceed.
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