UNC addresses suspension for CB coach Armond Hawkins for NCAA violations

North Carolina has officially suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins for NCAA violations. Thursday brought a statement from the Tar Heels, addressing the situation.

“North Carolina assistant football coach Armond Hawkins has been suspended for violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits,” the statement said. “He will remain on leave as the Department of Athletics further investigates other potential actions detrimental to the team and University.”

Reports of Hawkins being suspended by UNC emerged on Tuesday. Extra benefits being provided to a player’s family are what’s being alleged. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported a Hawkins provided a player’s family members with sideline passes for a game.

This is the first season of Hawkins being on staff in Chapel Hill. He previously worked out West with Steve Belichick and the Washington Huskies. In Seattle, Hawkins worked as a recruiting analyst and eventually coached the secondary.

Stops at three old-school Pac-12 programs are on the resume as well. Hawkins worked in USC‘s and Colorado‘s recruiting departments before heading to Arizona for the 2023 season. Overall, it’s been five different jobs in as many years for Hawkins.

North Carolina does not play on Saturday, getting a bye. They make the long trip to Berkley to face off against Cal on Oct. 18 before hosting a ranked Virginia team the following week.

Bill Belichick reaffirms commitment to UNC, receives support from AD Bubba Cunnigham

Uncertainty about the future of head coach Bill Belichick currently surrounds North Carolina. This led to a statement being released by Belichick and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. Belichick reaffirmed his commitment to the program, while Cunningham gave a vote of confidence.

“I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here,” Belichick said. Cunningham followed, saying, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.”

The Tar Heels enter the bye week with a 2-3 record. All three of those losses are to power conference programs, while beating Charlotte out of the Group of Five and FCS Richmond. TCU took care of business in the season opener before another nonconference loss to UCF. A four-touchdown loss to a struggling Clemson in the team’s latest game brought a new low.

Belichick came into the season as the splashiest hire of the offseason. Moving on from his historic NFL career to the college level had people interested in North Carolina. However, through five games, not much has gone right.