Belichick Insists He's In Control As Probe Widens

Lawyers hired by the University of North Carolina are questioning current and former football players, their parents and staff about alleged drug use and alleged sexual relationships inside the program, WRAL News reported Sept. 3, citing people familiar with the investigation.

The inquiry work is being led by Nate Huff and McNair Nichols of the firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP, according to WRAL, which said it traced identifying information from the interviews back to the firm. UNC's Office of University Counsel is overseeing the investigation.

On Monday, Sept. 7, head coach Bill Belichick faced reporters for the first time since general manager Michael Lombardi resigned. Asked whether his program has an atmosphere of compliance — something his contract requires him to promote — Belichick said: "Yeah, totally."

Asked what indicates he is in control of the program, he said: "If you're around here every day, I think you'd see it."

What Investigators Are Asking

People who were interviewed told WRAL they were asked whether defensive coordinator Steve Belichick — the head coach's son — used drugs at university facilities or on the job, or provided drugs to at least one player. Under UNC employment contracts, WRAL reported, assistant coaches can be fired for cause if found to have used or distributed illicit drugs.

Separately, and unrelated to Steve Belichick, the same people said the lawyer asked about a purported sexual relationship between a female recruiting staff member and at least one player, and about possible relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff. WRAL reported it was unclear whether the alleged relationships would violate university policy, which bars employees from supervising or evaluating anyone they have had a romantic relationship with.

These are questions investigators put to witnesses, not findings. No findings have been released, and UNC has declined to state publicly what the investigation is about. The sources spoke to WRAL anonymously, saying they feared retaliation. Steve Belichick did not respond to WRAL's request for comment, and neither did Huff or Nichols.

Interviewees also said they were asked about the culture of the program under Bill Belichick and Lombardi, were asked to hand over documents and screenshots of text conversations, and were asked whether they had ever reported questionable behavior to Bill Belichick.