2 months ago
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The University of North Carolina is set to undergo a major change for the leadership within its athletic department just a few months before Bill Belichick coaches his first football game.
UNC is re-organizing its athletic department - with Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham set to move to a new position.
After assuming the job in November of 2011, Cunningham is entering his final year in his current role before transitioning to a job as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Athletic Director next summer.
The move was announced alongside the news that Cunningham agreed to a contract extension of two years.
Replacing him will be Steve Newmark, the president of the NASCAR team Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing.
RFK Racing is a division of the Fenway Sports Group - which also owns the Premier League's Liverpool FC, MLB's Boston Red Sox, and the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
A change at the top of the UNC athletic department may be a surprise for Bill Belichick
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham will be stepping down from his position next summer
Belichick, seen with Jordon Hudson, is set to coach his first UNC football game in September
'As part of my last contract extension, I committed to working with University leadership on a succession plan that would positively position Carolina Athletics and our 28 teams for the future,' Cunningham said in a statement.
'I appreciate the opportunity to extend my contract and enhance my role in a way that will allow me to continue to support our outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff as we transition and navigate the changing athletics landscape. I am excited for the future.'
In the interim, Newmark will take on the role of Executive Associate Athletic Director - with the position reporting to Cunningham and initially focusing on strategies to generate revenue for the Tar Heels' football, men's basketball, and women's basketball teams.
Cunningham came under fire earlier this year for a controversy in another role he held as the chairman of the selection committee for the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament - also known as March Madness.
He was accused of favoritism when UNC was selected as one of the last four teams to make the NCAA tournament - prompting an investigation from the West Virginia attorney general into possible collusion.
Cunningham denied being a part of the decision to include the school he works for.
This news comes before Belichick is set to play his first game as head coach of the Tar Heels football team. North Carolina hosts TCU on September 1.
