{"id":48117,"date":"2026-04-06T21:07:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T01:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/unc-close-to-hiring-nba-champion-coach-michael-malone-for-basketball-program\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T21:07:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T01:07:33","slug":"unc-close-to-hiring-nba-champion-coach-michael-malone-for-basketball-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/unc-close-to-hiring-nba-champion-coach-michael-malone-for-basketball-program\/","title":{"rendered":"UNC Close to Hiring NBA Champion Coach Michael Malone for Basketball Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

The University of North Carolina appears close to securing a deal with NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take charge of the Tar Heels basketball program, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke Monday.<\/p>

The source provided information to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity since the university has not made any public statements regarding their coaching search. Malone is set to take over from Hubert Davis, who was dismissed on March 24 following five years at the helm after taking over from retired Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams.<\/p>

ESPN initially broke the news of UNC’s pursuit of Malone.<\/p>

At 54 years old, Malone brings 12 seasons of NBA head coaching experience, with a decade of that time spent in Denver. Under his leadership, the Nuggets captured the 2023 NBA championship with three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic leading the charge.<\/p>

Denver dismissed Malone last spring with just days remaining in the regular season. Nearly one year later, in another unexpected development, Malone stands poised to assume control of one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs, boasting six national championships, a record 21 Final Four appearances, and notable alumni including Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter, and Atlantic Coast Conference career scoring record-holder Tyler Hansbrough.<\/p>

This hiring would give UNC prominent former professional coaches at the helm of both major athletic programs. The Tar Heels brought in six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick to coach football in December 2024. Belichick posted a disappointing 4-8 record in his first season.<\/p>

The dismissal of Davis created an opening for one of college basketball’s premier positions for just the fourth time since legendary Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith stepped down following 36 seasons in October 1997.<\/p>

Since then, the position had remained within the “Carolina Family” circle. Long-time assistant Bill Guthridge took over for Smith, followed by former UNC player Matt Doherty, then former Smith assistant Williams, and finally Davis, who both played under Smith and served on Williams’ coaching staff.<\/p>

Several high-profile candidates including Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan \u2014 who guided Florida to NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007 \u2014 had been connected to the opening since Davis’ departure. Lloyd confirmed Friday at the Final Four that he would remain with the Wildcats while commending UNC for “the way they’ve handled this.”<\/p>

Just three days following that announcement, the search has taken an unforeseen turn toward Malone, who lacks college head coaching experience and has dedicated the majority of his career to the NBA.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The University of North Carolina is reportedly near completion of a deal to bring NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to lead their basketball program. Malone, who guided the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title, would replace Hubert Davis who was dismissed in March after five seasons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":48116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775524053677.jpg?fit=1000%2C668&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-cw5","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":48606,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/unc-taps-nba-champion-coach-michael-malone-to-lead-tar-heels-basketball\/","url_meta":{"origin":48117,"position":0},"title":"UNC Taps NBA Champion Coach Michael Malone to Lead Tar Heels Basketball","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The University of North Carolina has selected NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take over their men's basketball program. Malone, who guided the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title, will replace Hubert Davis who was dismissed last month after five seasons.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775595974160.jpg?fit=1000%2C668&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775595974160.jpg?fit=1000%2C668&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775595974160.jpg?fit=1000%2C668&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775595974160.jpg?fit=1000%2C668&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47975,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/unc-basketball-coaching-search-narrows-to-two-nba-veterans\/","url_meta":{"origin":48117,"position":1},"title":"UNC Basketball Coaching Search Narrows to Two NBA Veterans","author":"Admin","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The University of North Carolina's search for a new basketball coach has centered on two NBA figures with contrasting backgrounds. Conflicting media reports suggest the Tar Heels are pursuing either Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan or former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775503344059.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":51609,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/top-basketball-recruit-backs-out-of-unc-commitment-after-coaching-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":48117,"position":2},"title":"Top Basketball Recruit Backs Out of UNC Commitment After Coaching Change","author":"Admin","date":"April 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Elite basketball prospect Dylan Mingo has withdrawn his commitment to the University of North Carolina following the hiring of new head coach Michael Malone. The highly-ranked guard from New York originally pledged to play for the Tar Heels under former coach Hubert Davis in February.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776129774422.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776129774422.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776129774422.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776129774422.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776129774422.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52610,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/unc-freshman-star-caleb-wilson-declares-for-nba-draft-after-injury-shortened-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":48117,"position":3},"title":"UNC Freshman Star Caleb Wilson Declares for NBA Draft After Injury-Shortened Season","author":"Admin","date":"April 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"North Carolina freshman basketball standout Caleb Wilson has officially announced his entry into the NBA draft after playing just 24 games due to hand and thumb injuries. 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