The turmoil surrounding the North Carolina football program has taken another major turn. Michael Lombardi has resigned from his position as general manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football program, effective September 3, 2026, the university announced Thursday. Lombardi had been on paid administrative leave since July 27 while UNC conducted an internal investigation. The university confirmed that his resignation will not end the investigation. > “The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.”…
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William Jewell Football Player MicahJo Barnett Dies After Medical Emergency During Season Opener
The college football community is mourning the tragic loss of William Jewell College running back MicahJo Barnett, who died Saturday after suffering a medical emergency during the Cardinals’ season opener against Fort Lewis College. Barnett, a 20-year-old junior majoring in business administration, experienced the medical emergency on the sideline during the first quarter of the Division II matchup in Liberty, Missouri. The incident came shortly after Barnett scored a touchdown to give William Jewell an early lead. He had carried the ball six times for 30 yards before the game…
Read MoreTennessee LB Arion Carter Suspended Two Games by NCAA Over $427 Flight Paid by Agent
Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will miss the first two games of the 2026 season after the NCAA suspended the Volunteers’ defensive standout for accepting an impermissible benefit during the NFL Draft process. According to reports from Knox News’ Adam Sparks, the violation stemmed from a $427 flight to an NFL pre-draft training facility that was paid for by Carter’s agent before the linebacker ultimately withdrew from the draft and returned to Tennessee for another season. Although Carter later repaid the cost of the flight, the NCAA determined that the payment…
Read MoreFIU Makes History by Hiring K.D. Fletcher as College Football’s First Female General Manager
Florida International University has made college football history. FIU announced the hiring of K.D. Fletcher as the program’s new general manager, making her the first woman to serve as a football general manager at the FBS level and a groundbreaking figure in the sport’s evolving front-office landscape. The hire marks another significant milestone for college athletics as programs continue to expand front-office operations to address the growing demands of roster management, NIL strategy, recruiting, transfer portal evaluation, and salary cap planning in the revenue-sharing era. As general manager, Fletcher will…
Read MoreFormer Bucknell Strength Coach Charged in Death of Freshman Football Player CJ Dickey
More than a year after the tragic death of Bucknell freshman football player Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., Pennsylvania prosecutors have announced criminal charges against the strength and conditioning coach who oversaw the workout that preceded his collapse. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced that former Bucknell University strength coach Mark Kulbis has been charged with felony aggravated hazing, as well as misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing. The charges stem from a conditioning session on July 10, 2024, when Dickey, an 18-year-old freshman from Tampa, Florida, collapsed…
Read MoreNCAA Eliminates FCS-to-FBS Transition Penalty, Clearing Immediate Bowl Eligibility for North Dakota State and Sacramento State
In a move that has been widely praised across the college football landscape, the NCAA has voted to eliminate the postseason transition penalty for schools moving from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The decision means programs such as North Dakota State and Sacramento State will be eligible to compete in bowl games immediately, rather than being forced to wait through a multi-year transition period. For years, schools making the leap from FCS to FBS faced restrictions that prevented them from participating in bowl games…
Read MoreNCAA Officially Adopts New Age-Based Eligibility Model
The NCAA has approved a major change to its eligibility rules, ushering in a new era for college athletics. The Division I governance cabinet unanimously voted to adopt an age-based eligibility structure that will grant student-athletes five years to compete in five seasons, beginning either when they first enroll in college or when they turn 19 years old—whichever occurs first. The move represents one of the most significant eligibility reforms in NCAA history and is designed to create a more standardized framework across all sports. Under the previous system, athletes…
Read MoreFormer Oklahoma State Coach Bob Simmons Passes Away At 77
The college football community is mourning the loss of former Oklahoma State head coach and trailblazer Bob Simmons, who passed away at the age of 77. Simmons leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the football field. In 1995, he became the first Black head football coach in Oklahoma State history, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of coaches throughout college athletics. During his six seasons leading the Cowboys, Simmons compiled a 30-38 record and helped guide the program through the formative years of the Big…
Read MoreBall State Freshman DB Gavin Yates-Lyons Dies at 18 Following Tragic Shooting
The college football community is mourning the loss of Ball State freshman defensive back Gavin Yates-Lyons, who passed away at just 18 years old after succumbing to injuries sustained in a shooting in Tallahassee, Florida. Yates-Lyons had recently taken a major step toward realizing his football dreams. After graduating from Lowndes High School in Georgia, the talented defensive back enrolled early at Ball State University and participated in spring football activities with the Cardinals. Coaches and teammates were already getting to know a young player whose future appeared bright both…
Read MoreFAMU Football hit with NCAA APR Penalties , slapped with postseason ban
Courtesy of FAMU Athletics Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced today that its football program has received Level Two Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties from the NCAA for the 2026 football season, which include practice restrictions and ineligibility for postseason competition during the 2026 season. President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. and the university’s leadership are committed to addressing the structural conditions that contributed to this outcome and to building the academic infrastructure our student-athletes deserve. “Florida A&M holds its student-athletes to the same standard of excellence we hold every Rattler,” said…
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