The win at Dublin could only keep the critics at bay for so long. Belichick’s coaching staff continues to be under scrutiny as the investigation around his son takes center stage.
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The first domino fell when UNC GM Michael Lombardi resigned on September 3. Hours later, a WRAL report revealed that the investigation into Lombardi is also looking at whether Steve Belichick allegedly used or gave drugs at the team facility. The defensive coordinator for the Tar Heels had initially stepped away from the team on an indefinite medical leave on August 6.
Bill Belichick was asked to comment on the investigation and was blunt in his response. “Look, I love all my kids. But I’m not going to comment on a medical situation,” Belichick told the media as reported by Michael McCleary on September 7.
This wasn’t enough for the reporters who kept pressing the head coach on questions around this matter. But the old veteran who has experience dealing with sports media from decades in the NFL stuck to his points.
“My focus is on getting the team ready to play ETSU,” Belichick said. “I’m not involved in any other part of the process. My job is to get the team ready to play this weekend and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The defensive coordinator was also unavailable for UNC’s season opener. In his absence, Bill Belichick took over the defensive play-calling against TCU. This is not the first time Steve has run into trouble when it comes to drug use.
In October 2006, when he was a 19-year-old student, he was arrested in Waltham, Massachusetts, and charged with one count of marijuana possession. Police arrested Belichick and an 18-year-old companion in a parking lot. While his companion was charged with possession with intent to distribute, Belichick was found with a “very, very small amount” of the drug.
Since he had no prior criminal record, the case was continued without a finding in Waltham District Court. Steve was placed on probation for six months, and the charge was completely dismissed after he completed the probationary period without further trouble.
Even though it would be to unfair to hold the mistakes made by a man at 18 years old, the precedent is not a good one, as it shows prior misconduct of a similar nature. Simply put, there was apparently enough smoke for independent lawyers on behalf of the University to go searching for answers from parents of the students Steve came in contact with.
Witness interviews have focused on allegations regarding whether Steve Belichick used drugs at university facilities or provided them to a player. None of these allegations has been established as fact. Steve Belichick’s employment contract allows for termination for cause if illicit drug use is proven.
But beyond Steve Belichick’s position, even the head coach’s role has come under scrutiny. If independent investigators find concrete proof that Belichick knew about, participated in, condoned, or failed to properly report the alleged illicit drug use by his son Steve, UNC has the legal right to fire him immediately.
According to CFB insider David Ubben, before the UNC head coach even took to the podium, the program officials announced that, since the investigation into the Tar Heels remains active, Belichick and the players can’t address it.
The primary catalyst was an internal human resources complaint filed against the football general manager, Michael Lombardi. Eventually, it led to him being placed on paid administrative leave on July 27. Now that the investigation is in full swing, Lombardi’s abrupt resignation from his position and his decision to give up the remainder of his contract salary are raising eyebrows.
On his part, Bill Belichick has publicly defended the program. He vouches for the fact that they maintain an environment of compliance. He will make any necessary corrections once the independent findings are complete. In the meantime, the university has issued a strict gag order, barring all players, coaches, and staff from discussing the ongoing situation publicly.