UNC targets ex-Nuggets coach Malone after Davis firing
North Carolina plans to hire Michael Malone as its next men's basketball coach following the dismissal of Hubert Davis, ESPN reports. Davis was fired after the Tar Heels' first-round NCAA Tournament loss to VCU earlier this month. Malone, who led the Denver Nuggets for 10 seasons, emerges as the choice after other candidates withdrew.
The Tar Heels suffered an 82-78 overtime defeat to No. 10 VCU in the tournament's first round, marking the largest comeback in that stage's history. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham praised Davis's contributions as player, assistant, head coach and community leader but cited the need for more consistent elite competition. Davis, in his statement, expressed pride in accomplishments with players and staff while hoping to coach again soon.
Malone holds the Nuggets' record for most wins with 471 and guided the team to an NBA title in 2023 before his April 2025 dismissal. He joined ESPN in May 2025. North Carolina had pursued college coaches including Michigan's Dusty May, Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger, but May removed himself from consideration amid his team's Final Four run.
Davis posted a 125-54 record over five seasons, including four NCAA Tournament appearances and a Final Four in his debut 2021-22 campaign, where UNC reached the national championship game before losing to Kansas. A UNC alumnus from 1988-92 and former New York Knicks first-round pick, Davis leaves with about $5.3 million guaranteed from his contract. The program seeks to recapture the success of Roy Williams, who won six NCAA titles, the last in 2017.
