Garrett Boorojian and General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels (Football), 3x Super Bowl Champion, Book Author, Michael Lombardi

Garrett Boorojian and General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels (Football), 3x Super Bowl Champion, Book Author, Michael Lombardi

Author: Garrett Boorojian December 13, 2024 Duration: 30:10

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.

https://vsin.com/college-football/vsin-host-michael-lombardi-leaving-to-join-bill-belichick-at-university-of-north-carolina/

"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."

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/former-pats-exec-lombardi-critical-of-gronk-others/382612/

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.”

https://www.thedaily.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.


Garrett Boorojian hosts WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment, a podcast that digs into the human dynamics behind high-stakes success. Each conversation moves beyond typical interviews to explore how trust, communication, and genuine connection are forged under pressure. The guest list is a testament to the universal application of these principles, featuring Hall of Fame athletes from football, basketball, and baseball, Olympic medalists, Emmy-winning media figures, and top coaches and executives. These are individuals for whom "team" is not a corporate buzzword but the fundamental mechanism of achievement. You'll hear firsthand accounts of navigating locker rooms, boardrooms, and creative collaborations. The discussions are grounded in real stories-from the tension before a championship game to the delicate negotiations of a major business deal-revealing the practical methods these professionals use to build cohesive units. This isn't abstract theory; it's lived experience dissected to uncover what actually works. Whether you're leading a sports team, a business department, or any collaborative project, this podcast offers a rare look at the relational craftsmanship required to excel. Garrett guides these explorations with a focus on actionable insight, making each episode a masterclass in the subtle art of working with others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment
Podcast Episodes
Garrett Boorojian and Founder + CEO of Renala, Certified Facilitator in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY, formerly of ICF Next / World Vision / Paralyzed Veterans of America / Atlantic Media, Co-author of "Living Room Leadership," Brittany Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
Garrett Boorojian and Brittany Anderson discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: https://leadwithfamily.com/living-room-leadership/"NEW BOOK BY BRITTANY + GEOFF ANDERSONUnlock the Power of Living Room…
Garrett Boorojian and 1993 NFL First Round Draft Pick (1st Overall), New England Patriots Hall of Famer, 4x Pro–Bowler, Super Bowl 36 Champion, Co–founder of Bledsoe Wine Estates (Doubleback, Bledsoe Family Winery, Bledsoe|McDaniels), Drew Bledsoe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:12
Garrett Boorojian and Drew Bledsoe discuss relationship building in a team environment.Drew's NFL Career / Accolades:– 251 Passing Touchdowns / 44,611 Passing Yards– Super Bowl 36 Champion / 2x AFC Champion– 4x Pro–Bowle…
Garrett Boorojian and former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, U. of Michigan Law School Professor, Author of "The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government, NBC News / MS NOW Legal Analyst, Barbara McQuade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
Garrett Boorojian and Barbara McQuade discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: University of Michigan Law Schoolhttps://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/barbara-l-mcquade"Barb…
Garrett Boorojian and Atlanta–based Award–winning Independent / Hollywood Actress (Walk the Line, Big Momma's House 2, We Are Marshall, The Blind Side, The Hunger Games, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Flight, 42, Hidden Figures), Rhoda Griffis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
Garrett Boorojian and Rhoda Griffis discuss relationship building in a team environment."... [T]his platform is fabulous Garrett, there is a door for everybody, and that's thanks to you." – Rhoda GriffisSource: Universit…
Garrett Boorojian and former NFL 4x Pro–Bowler, former NFL First–Team All–Pro, former NFL Sacks Leader, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, former High School and NCAA Division I Football Coach, Motivational Speaker, Bryce Paup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
Garrett Boorojian and Bryce Paup discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: Iowa State Footballhttps://cyclones.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bryce-paup/2348"Bryce PaupTitle: Assistant Defensive Lin…
Garrett Boorojian and Founder / Principal of The Fair Path Project, former Diplomat at the U.S. Department of State, former CAO / Spokeswoman at End Workplace Abuse, former Director of Human Resources at Solano County / Mariposa County, Kim Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:12
Garrett Boorojian and Kimberly Williams discuss relationship building in a team environment.Sources: The Fair Path Projecthttps://www.fairpathproject.com/"Overcome Workplace Bullying. Build Psychological Safety.The Fair…
Garrett Boorojian and 1982 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Champion and Consultant at the University of North Carolina, former NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Head Coach, former Assistant GM at the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, Buzz Peterson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:38
Garrett Boorojian and Buzz Peterson discuss relationship building in a team environment.Robert Bower Peterson Jr. | Buzz Peterson:– 1981 High School Basketball Player of the Year in the U.S. state of North Carolina– 1982…