The avalanche of negative reports flowing from North Carolina’s football program under Bill Belichick included news that assistant coach Armond Hawkins was suspended for allegedly providing extra benefits to players’ families, in the form of sideline passes to games.

The program has now confirmed that Hawkins is, and remains, suspended.

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

The deeper question is whether anything Hawkins did affects Belichick, whose buyout could be jeopardized depending on the severity of proven rul

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