A coach who had been suspended is now back with the North Carolina football team.
UNC head coach Bill Belichick confirmed the return of cornerbacks coach Almond Hawkins, stating, “The university cleared him, went through the process with him, and he came back, yes.” This comes just before their game against No. 16 Virginia in Chapel Hill on Saturday.
Hawkins was initially suspended on October 9 due to “violating NCAA rules” linked to allegations that UNC provided improper perks to players, like sideline passes for family members.
The duration of his suspension was somewhat unclear, with the university saying he would stay on administrative leave as they continued to investigate other potentially harmful conduct related to the team and the university.
Hawkins’ suspension is just one of many issues facing the program, which has had a rough start of 2-4 in Belichick’s inaugural year as head coach.
Reports from local news have highlighted frustrations among parents and officials associated with the program, who have pointed fingers at the coaching staff for the team’s struggles.
One parent told a local outlet, “It all starts at the top and the boys are being affected. I’m not blaming the players. I’m blaming the leadership for creating this toxic environment.”
Concerns have arisen over Belichick and his team’s ability to keep the locker room unified and communicate effectively with both players and parents.
Belichick, at 73, came to Chapel Hill with an impressive football resume, but some parents and players have expressed worries about the experience level of other coaches on staff.
One source lamented, “The inexperience of the coaches is ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, the team’s troubling performance, which included a painful 21-18 loss at California due to a shocking fumble, has been further complicated by Belichick’s controversial personal life with his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, which drew attention during the game.
As the Tar Heels prepare to take the field Saturday at noon, they’re looking to turn their narrative around and make headlines for the right reasons.
