ESPN analyst puzzled by UNC's head coaching search
UNC needed to fire Hubert Davis. Not having a plan in place, however, drew a strong opinion from one ESPN analyst.
There's no denying that after UNC's 19-point collapse against VCU in this year's NCAA Tournament, Hubert Davis' time as head coach was up. Davis showed promise at times , leading North Carolina to the 2022 National Championship game, plus a 1-seed and Sweet 16 appearance two seasons later. The Tar Heels won 20 games in five straight seasons under Davis, something that isn't talked about enough.
What UNC failed to do upon moving on from Davis , though, was having a plan in place. College basketball analyst Mark Adams called North Carolina's current situation the "dumbest hiring/firing process ever. How does a school like North Carolina fire their head coach, without knowing who they want to hire – and if their target would take the job if offered," Adams asked.
"This might be the dumbest firing/hiring process ever. " Granted, the Tar Heels didn't know Arizona would extend Tommy Lloyd , or that TJ Otzelberger would remain at Iowa State. I agree with Adams, though, that UNC should have a Plan B lined up.
How does a school like North Carolina fire their head coach without knowing who they want to hire and if their target would take the job if offered? This might be the dumbest firing/hiring process ever. — Mark Adams (@EnthusiAdams) April 4, 2026 North Carolina's top options are former National Championship-winning head coach Billy Donovan, current Michigan boss Dusty May and Vanderbilt leader Mark Byington.