He served as the head football coach at the University of Chicago for three seasons, from 1976 to 1978, compiling a record of 9–15.
He attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he met his wife, Melinda, the daughter of football coach and athletic director, Walter Hass.
Lombardi began his career in 1961 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois, as a teach of economics and math and assistant football coach.
[2] Lombardi succeeded his father-in-law, Hass, as head football coach at the University of Chicago in 1976.
[3] In 1979 he was hired as head football coach and physical education teacher at Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois.