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Hubert Davis is out at North Carolina, just five days after the Tar Heels’ disastrous collapse against VCU. After starting the season on the hot seat, a decisive win over Duke in February and a 24-8 record appeared to have saved Davis from firing after entering the NCAA Tournament as a sixth seed.
Especially given star forward Caleb Wilson’s season-ending injury, all signs pointed to Davis returning to Chapel Hill regardless of what happened in March. Then the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead over 11th seed VCU in the second half of their first-round game, with Davis faring poorly in regulation time.
Davis’ tenure as head coach at Carolina ends after five seasons, which included a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular season championship in 2024.
So what’s next in Chapel Hill?
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When Roy Williams retired in 2021, the job was considered one of the best in all of sports. After half a decade of ups and downs, the question is whether this is still the case. Industry sources still view Carolina as the same elite, blue-blood destination it was when Davis took the helm in 2021.
“I think there’s enough money if they want it,” a source told ESPN. “The history, the tradition, the facilities. Undoubtedly it’s still the same.” [at the top]. It’s North Carolina.
“It’s still Carolina, man,” said another. “It’s the brand.”
This time, however, the position comes with challenges. Longtime sporting director Bubba Cunningham is leaving his post this summer and will be replaced by former NASCAR executive Steve Newmark. The department also faces the question of whether to renovate the Dean Smith Center or move the basketball team to another location. And with Bill Belichick in town, the football program is getting its fair share of resources — and attention.
Let’s take a look at which candidates might be on the radar and what they would inherit.
Who’s next?
When Williams retired, North Carolina decided to keep it in the family and promoted Davis to the top job after nine seasons with Williams. Davis, of course, also played for the program under Dean Smith from 1988 to 1992. It’s unlikely the school will select another former Tar Heel this time.
Expect Carolina to take some massive swings.
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Billy Donovan It is expected to be at the top of the list. The Chicago Bulls head coach hasn’t coached at the collegiate level since 2015 and spent the last 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20) and the Bulls (2020-present). He’s turned down the opportunity to go back to college before, but now that the Bulls are missing the playoffs, he might be more open to the idea. He led Florida to two national championships (2006 and 2007) and led the Gators to two more Final Fours (2000 and 2014). A complicating issue with Donovan would be timing; The Bulls’ last game is April 12th.
Brad Stevens wouldn’t be a surprising goal either. The Boston Celtics’ president of operations has not coached at the college level since 2013 and has not served in any capacity since 2021. But he led Butler to back-to-back national title game appearances in 2010 and 2011 and then made seven trips to the NBA playoffs at the helm of the Celtics before moving to the front office in 2021.
Industry insiders also believe the best of the best in the college ranks are likely on the short list: Arizona Tommy LloydMichigan’s Dusty MayIowa State TJ. ÖtzelbergerFlorida Todd Golden and Alabama Nate Oats. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland could also be in discussion. The Tar Heels were even able to gauge interest from UConn Dan Hurleylike Kentucky (and the Lakers) did a few years ago.
Some of these coaches are slated for massive takeovers: Lloyd’s would pay between $9 million and $12 million, depending on the timing; Golden’s would cost $16 million; and Oats would cost $18 million through April 1, then the price drops to $10 million. McCasland’s acquisition is also worth just over $10 million. May and Otzelberger have made smaller acquisitions, with May valued at around $7 million and Otzelberger at around $4 million.
What this means for new recruits
#9 Dylan Mingo
No. 21 Maximo Adams
NR Malloy Smith
North Carolina has a top-10 recruiting class led by two top-25 recruits: Mingo and Adams. Mingo gave Davis a top-15 recruit for the fourth straight recruiting class, and when healthy, he is one of the elite backcourt players in this class. Mingo’s recruitment didn’t end until February, and the Tar Heels ultimately beat Baylor for his commitment. Could he reconsider his decision? It’s worth noting that his brother, Kayden Mingo, was one of the best freshman guards in the Big Ten at Penn State this season.
Adams was a standout player last spring and summer, making it to the top 25 in the rankings. He also considered Michigan State, Kentucky and Texas before choosing Carolina. His brother, Marcus Adams Jr., recently announced that he wanted to enter the transfer portal following the firing of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.
Retention priorities
Henri Veesaar
Jarin Stevenson
Derek Dixon
Keeping Veesaar in Chapel Hill was a top priority for Davis entering the offseason, and the second-team All-ACC selection will undoubtedly be the focus of the coach who replaces Davis. Veesaar was great after transferring from Arizona, averaging 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds before finishing the season with a 26-point, 10-rebound performance against VCU. He was a projected second-round pick in ESPN’s most recent NBA mock draft and would likely have lucrative offers from elsewhere if he chose to re-enter the transfer portal when it opens April 7.
Stevenson became a real factor for Carolina as the season progressed, especially after Wilson’s injury, averaging 10.7 points and 6.4 boards per game over his final 10 games. He should also be a priority for the new coach after Veesaar.
Expect Dixon to be the focal point on the perimeter, regardless of what Mingo decides to do with his commitment. Dixon showed a lot of promise as a freshman, especially late in the season: 17 points against Duke, 16 points against Clemson, 11 points and six assists against VCU.
Other potential returnees include Luka Bogavac, Jonathan Powell and Jaydon Young.
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