North Carolina Tar Heels Hire Michael Malone as New Men's Basketball Coach

Original: Sources: UNC to hire Malone as new hoops coach

Espn•Apr 6, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

The University of North Carolina is set to appoint Michael Malone as its new men's basketball coach, following the firing of Hubert Davis. Malone, a seasoned NBA coach with a successful tenure at the Denver Nuggets, aims to restore UNC's status among elite college basketball programs.

Key Points

01Michael Malone is the new head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team.
02Malone previously coached the Denver Nuggets, leading them to their first NBA championship in 2023.
03He replaces Hubert Davis, who was fired after a disappointing NCAA tournament performance.
04Malone brings over 20 years of coaching experience in the NBA.
05UNC sought multiple high-profile candidates before settling on Malone.

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Full Summary

The University of North Carolina (UNC) is poised to hire Michael Malone as its new men's basketball coach, according to sources. This decision comes after the firing of Hubert Davis on March 24, following a disappointing NCAA tournament exit. Malone, 54, previously spent 10 seasons as head coach of the Denver Nuggets, where he achieved a career record of 471-327 and led the team to its first NBA championship in 2023. Despite being linked to several prominent college coaches, including Dusty May, Tommy Lloyd, and T.J. Otzelberger, UNC has turned to Malone to help restore its status as a powerhouse in college basketball. Davis had a successful start at UNC, reaching the national championship game in his first season, but struggled in subsequent years, failing to advance past the Sweet 16 in the last four seasons.

Key Figures

471-327

Michael Malone's career coaching record with the Denver Nuggets

10

Number of seasons Malone coached the Denver Nuggets

6

Total NCAA championships won by UNC, the last in 2017

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Why It Matters

Michael Malone's hiring could revitalize the UNC basketball program, attracting top recruits and enhancing the team's competitive edge.

Who is affected

UNC basketball players, recruits, and fans.

What to know

Fans should support the new coaching direction and stay engaged with the upcoming season.

FAQ

Hubert Davis was fired after UNC lost a significant lead and was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year.

Michael Malone has over two decades of coaching experience, including a successful tenure as head coach of the Denver Nuggets, where he won an NBA championship.

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