UNC set to hire Michael Malone as next men's basketball coach after firing Hubert Davis: report

The UNC Tar Heels are dipping into nan NBA excavation for its adjacent men’s hoops coach.

After Hubert Davis was fired pursuing a shocking nonaccomplishment to VCU successful nan first information of nan NCAA Tournament earlier this month, nan Tar Heels are group to prosecute Michael Malone, according to ESPN.

North Carolina was antecedently linked to apical assemblage coaches, including Michigan’s Dusty May, who will beryllium competing for an NCAA title connected Monday nighttime against UConn. But May took his sanction retired of immoderate moving crossed college, while Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger were besides rumored to beryllium successful nan Tar Heels’ favor.

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Head Coach Michael Malone claps connected nan sidelines during nan 3rd 4th against nan Indiana Pacers astatine Ball Arena successful Denver, Colo., connected April 6, 2025. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

But Malone, who nan past 10 seasons starring nan Denver Nuggets, is nan man they’re settling connected to lead nan Tar Heels backmost to greatness.

Malone is nan winningest coach successful Nuggets history, tallying 471 profession wins crossed his profession there, while besides winning an NBA title successful 2023.

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However, Malone, contempt what he intends to nan franchise grounds books, was fired by nan Nuggets successful April 2025. He quickly entered nan sports media space, joining ESPN successful May 2025, but he’s backmost successful nan saddle now successful a full caller collegiate world compared to nan pros.

Perhaps North Carolina wouldn’t person been searching for different caput coach if Davis and nan Tar Heels didn’t illness against No. 10 VCU successful nan first round, arsenic nan Rams mounted nan biggest first-round comeback successful tourney history to yet conclusion No. 6 UNC successful overtime, 82-78.

"We admit each that Hubert has done for Carolina arsenic a player, adjunct coach, caput coach and organization leader – he has helped make typical memories we will ne'er forget," diversion head Bubba Cunningham said successful a statement. "This was not an easy determination because of Hubert’s tremendous characteristic and each he has fixed to nan program, but we must move guardant successful a measurement that allows our squad to compete much consistently astatine an elite level."

Davis, who made four NCAA Tournaments, including nan past 3 seasons, complete his 5 campaigns pinch nan Tar Heels, released his ain connection connected nan matter. 

Head coach Michael Malone of nan Denver Nuggets watches nan crippled against nan Golden State Warriors during nan 2nd 4th astatine Chase Center successful San Francisco, Calif., connected April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

"Tonight, I was fto spell by nan University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill," he wrote. "My desire was to proceed to coach here. This opportunity has genuinely been specified a blessing. I convey Jesus virtually each time for giving maine nan opportunity, relationships and experiences pinch nan kids and my staff. I americium very proud of what we were capable to execute together."

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Davis added that he hopes to beryllium coaching "in nan very adjacent future."

Davis, who played for UNC from 1988-92 earlier being a first-round prime by the New York Knicks in 1992, near nan programme pinch astir $5.3 cardinal still guaranteed from his contract, per ESPN.

Davis went 125-54 during his 179-game tenure pinch his alma mater, which included a first-year Final Four quality during nan 2021-22 campaign. The Tar Heels reached nan nationalist title game, falling to nan Kansas Jayhawks, who besides overcame a double-digit shortage to beryllium crowned champions.

Head coach Michael Malone of nan Denver Nuggets looks connected during nan 4th fourth against nan Golden State Warriors astatine Chase Center successful San Francisco, Calif., connected April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

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 After missing March Madness successful 2023, nan Tar Heels earned themselves a No. 1 seed successful 2024, but they were taken down by No. 4 Alabama successful nan Sweet 16, cutting their nationalist title hopes short. Still, Davis earned himself nan ACC Coach of nan Year Award that year. 

The Tar Heels want to get backmost to nan Roy Williams days, arsenic nan legendary UNC caput coach led his squad to six NCAA titles during his tenure, nan astir caller coming successful 2017.