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North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick has revealed that a previously suspended coach has made his return to the team after the assistant was found to have violated NCAA rules.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Belichick announced that cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins will make his return to the sidelines this weekend ahead of a rivalry game against No. 16 Virginia - a game dubbed 'The South's Oldest Rivalry'.
'Yeah, he's back,' Belichick told reporters on Monday. 'The university cleared him, they went through their process with him and he's back, yes.'
Hawkins was suspended on October 9 amid allegations that UNC had provided players with impermissible benefits, including sideline passes to players' family members.
The suspension did not initially have an end date, with the school stating, Hawkins would 'remain on leave as the Department of Athletics further investigates other potential actions detrimental to the team and University.'
The suspension is just another in a list of controversies and missteps in Belichick's tenure - made only worse by the Tar Heels' awful 2-4 start to the season.
Bill Belichick revealed that a previously suspended assistant coach is back on the team
Cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins (pictured) has now resumed his coaching role at UNC
Among the controversies included multiple canceled documentaries and docuseries spotlighting Belichick's first season in Chapel Hill.
However, that doesn't mean that there will be no visual account of the 73-year-old's first season at the helm.
It was revealed on Monday that Raleigh NBC affiliate WRAL would be releasing their own documentary about Belichick's first year.
This announcement comes two weeks after it was reported that a series set to be released on Hulu was halted.
Per WRAL, Belichick's contract to make the docuseries had an opt-out clause. It was confirmed by UNC that the decision to pause the project came after the Tar Heels fell to 2-3 on the season. Last Friday, they dropped to 2-4 after a 21-18 loss to Cal.
It's yet another road bump in a season surrounded by controversy on and off the field - with documentaries, parent concern, and his relationship with Jordon Hudson muddying the waters
While it's possible that the project could be revived, it seems increasingly unlikely due to multiple reports of turmoil within the program.
WRAL has previously reported on anger from parents about the conduct of the program - with one parent saying, 'It's all starting at the top, and the boys are being affected.
'I don't fault the players; I fault the leadership that created this toxic environment. There's an individualistic mindset. The boys are young, and they are feeding into it.'
Additionally, the controversy surrounding Belichick's relationship with Jordon Hudson - and her role in the coach's personal life, business ventures, and any suspected influence over the football program - has added a shroud of chaos to an already turbulent situation.
