Tar Heel turmoil: UNC won't say what 'detrimental actions' led to assistant coach's suspension

A UNC football coach is sidelined, and no one has been willing to answer questions about why.

A source who has been following the week of reports about problems within the program told WRAL that the university needs to step in and make changes. "If the coaching staff isn't going to do it.  someone else does," that source said.  

Armond Hawkins, a cornerbacks coach with the football team, was suspended after WRAL's exclusive report on problems in the program broke Monday afternoon. One of the complaints that parents raised is that players recruited by head coach Bill Belichick get preferential treatment and those on the team from the Mack Brown era do not.

Hawkins, the university said, was suspended for violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits tied to providing players extra sideline passes for family members.

And the investigation into Hawkins is continuing.

WRAL has also learned from multiple sources that Hawkins had a verbal conflict with a player. According to sources that interaction affected the player's playing time versus Clemson.

Asked whether a player was benched after a conflict with the coach, the university athletic department had no comment.

Carolina Athletics released this statement:

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

Sources told WRAL that Hawkins has not been at practice this week, and that players were told it was due to "personal business."

As the turmoil for the Tar Heels gains national attention and has potential recruits re-considering their futures, many on the team and in the UNC administration responded with a show of support for Belichick, his assistants and the culture.

At least one player -- redshirt senior Caleb Hood -- has left the team. On X, UNC football said he shared that decision with Belichick on Wednesday. Hood has dealt with injuries for much of his career. He's played in just 53.4% of games since his true freshman year in 2021 at UNC.

Hood's decision to retire could be connected to his history of injury, but it comes just two days after WRAL's report that the UNC football locker room is divided, the coaching staff disorganized and communication almost non-existent.