Berj Najarian Joins Michigan as Assistant GM/Strategy, Ending Carolina Reunion Hopes

Longtime Bill Belichick lieutenant Berj Najarian has accepted a new role at the University of Michigan, ending speculation that he would reunite with Belichick at the University of North Carolina.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Najarian will serve as Michigan’s assistant general manager/strategy under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. His responsibilities will include assisting with contract negotiations and navigating the evolving landscape of college sports.

Najarian’s ties to Belichick run deep. He served as the Patriots’ assistant to the head coach for 24 years in New England before Belichick’s departure to North Carolina in 2024. At the time of Belichick’s hiring, Najarian was already employed at Boston College under then-head coach Bill O’Brien.

Despite the separation, Najarian remained connected to Belichick. An email from Belichick in April 2025, which surfaced during a public controversy following his CBS interview, included Najarian as a recipient. The email, related to publicity for Belichick’s book, raised questions about potential collaboration between the two, given Najarian’s role at a conference rival.

So why did Najarian choose Michigan over North Carolina? One factor may have been Mike Lombardi, North Carolina’s general manager. Last year, Pablo Torre of ESPN reported that Najarian was among several Patriots staff members who criticized Lombardi during his tenure with the team, contributing to his eventual departure. Lombardi has maintained he left voluntarily.

Alternatively, Najarian may have seen a more promising opportunity in Ann Arbor, where Michigan’s program is in a rebuilding phase, compared to Chapel Hill, where another underwhelming season could signal the end of Belichick’s tenure.