Bill Belichick’s first North Carolina press conference since general manager Michael Lombardi resigned was supposed to focus on East Tennessee State. Instead, the opening stretch became a tense exercise in asking questions the Tar Heels’ coach had already been told not to answer.
UNC said beforehand that Belichick, players and university employees would not discuss an ongoing investigation into the football program. Reporters still pressed him on institutional control, Steve Belichick’s medical leave, and the allegations investigators have been asking witnesses about.
Reporters Press Bill Belichick as Tension Builds
Chris Lea, who was sitting in the room, did not undersell the atmosphere.
“First ten minutes of this were one of the most uncomfortable press conference situations I’ve ever sat through. Wow,” Lea wrote in the aftermath…