UNC CB Coach Suspended Over Alleged Extra Benefits Violations

In a surprising turn of events, North Carolina cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been suspended over allegations that he provided extra benefits to a player’s family members. This news dropped alongside a broader report detailing dysfunction inside Bill Belichick’s program at the University of North Carolina, which has already stumbled through the early part of the season.

Hawkins, a first-year assistant, finds himself at the center of a mess that’s only making things harder for the Tar Heels.

The Suspension of Armond Hawkins

Armond Hawkins joined the Tar Heels this year as their cornerbacks coach. Now, he’s been suspended after allegations surfaced that he violated NCAA rules.

Reports say he gave sideline passes to a player’s family, which counts as extra benefits under NCAA regulations. These details came out in a report that also highlighted bigger issues within Bill Belichick’s program at UNC.

Background on Hawkins

Before coming to North Carolina, Hawkins worked as a recruiting analyst and secondary coach at the University of Washington. He’s got a close connection with Steve Belichick, the Tar Heels’ current defensive coordinator and son of Bill Belichick.

That prior relationship almost certainly played a role in bringing Hawkins to UNC.

Bill Belichick’s Struggles at UNC

Bill Belichick, known for his six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, took over the Tar Heels last winter. His move to college football hasn’t gone smoothly.

The team’s off to a rough start, sitting at 2-3 and taking some tough losses against Power 4 opponents. There’s already talk about whether Belichick can really adapt to the college game.

Performance Issues

Honestly, the Tar Heels’ performance this season has been disappointing. They’ve been blown out in all three games against Power 4 teams, getting outscored 120-33.

This rough stretch is turning up the heat on Belichick and his staff, including Hawkins.

Implications of the Suspension

Losing Armond Hawkins is a big deal for the Tar Heels. It shakes up the coaching staff and adds to the chaos already swirling around the program.

Allegations about extra benefits are no small thing. The NCAA could take a closer look, and sanctions might follow.

Impact on the Team

Even a temporary loss of Hawkins hurts the Tar Heels’ defense. As the cornerbacks coach, he’s responsible for developing the defensive backfield, which has already looked shaky this year.

His absence could make those problems even worse.

Looking Ahead

With a bye week offering a short break, the Tar Heels are set to return October 17th against Cal. That game feels huge—a real chance to turn things around, or maybe just more questions if things go badly.

It’s hard to say what’ll happen next, but the outcome could shape the future for this coaching staff and the entire program.

Potential for Improvement

Sure, it hasn’t been easy lately, but the Tar Heels still have room to get better. The bye week gives the coaching staff time to tweak things, and maybe the players can catch their breath too.

If they show up strong against Cal, that could really help bring back some confidence. Momentum’s a funny thing—it can swing fast if you let it.

For more details on how this is all unfolding, check out the full article on the New York Times.