Episode 50 – Garrett Boorojian and Michael Lombardi discuss relationship building in a team environment.
“I think the only form of currency that matters today is, are you willing to share your knowledge.” – Michael Lombardi
Garrett interviewed Michael prior to Michael becoming the General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Football program. Michael joins head coach Bill Belichick who’ll lead the Tar Heels with a five-year deal starting in 2025. Full circle: Bill’s father, Stephen Belichick, was an Assistant Coach for a few seasons at North Carolina in the 1950s when Bill was a toddler.
When Garrett interviewed Michael on October 27, 2023, Garrett asked Michael where would he like to be five years into the future? Little did Michael, Garrett, and the international sports world know that on December 11, 2024, Bill (as Head Coach) and Michael (as General Manager) would officially join the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Football program to lead the Heels starting in the 2025 season. Garrett’s alma mater is UNC–Chapel Hill.
“Vienna waits for you.” – Michael quoted the famous Billy Joel
Michael has won three Super Bowls (one with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers as a Scout for then–Head Coach Bill Walsh, and two with the NFL’s New England Patriots as an Assistant to then–Head Coach Bill Belichick).
Listeners and viewers will enjoy learning about the coaching tree of several of the all–time legendary coaches and some of the league’s greatest players and Hall of Famers who directly and indirectly, positively, impacted Michael’s life and vice versa.
When Bill spoke with NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran (2016) about Michael’s time working with Bill at the Patriots:
“Mike’s…one of the smartest people I’ve worked with. He was huge asset to me for the two years he was here…he studies football and he knows it very well.”
Michael, and another legendary football coach Nick Saban (seven–time national champion), first worked with Bill as a part of Bill’s coaching staff at the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Many years later, Michael would then serve as the General Manager of the Browns. Nick coached alongside Bill’s father, Stephen Belichick, for one year at Navy.
The great and iconic George Raveling is brought up multiple times by a few of Garrett’s guests, including by Michael Lombardi, throughout Garrett’s podcast series.
https://coachgeorgeraveling.com/
Michael, George, and Kimati Ramsey co-founded “The Daily Coach.”
Michael wrote Gridiron Genius: A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in the NFL and Football Done Right: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL.
Michael’s career in football has spanned 44 years (collegiate and professional levels combined). Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, he played collegiate football at Hofstra University. Michael is married to Millie, and they have two children Matt and Mick.ed collegiate football at Hofstra University. Michael is married to Millie, and they have two children Matt and Mick.