Ben McCollum turns down UNC, leads Tar Heels to Mike Malone
Per a report, Iowa head coach Ben McCollum turned down an interview for the UNC basketball job
North Carolina hired former NBA championship coach Michael Malone , who most recently led the Denver Nuggets, on Monday. Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets history and guided Denver to its first NBA title in 2023. But he was not the Tar Heels’ first offer.
Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd emerged as UNC’s primary target, but he never received a formal offer. That distinction belongs to Iowa head coach Ben McCollum . McCollum, who led the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987, turned down a chance to interview, according to CBS Sports college basketball reporter Matt Norlander.
McCollum stayed in touch with UNC last week as the search unfolded, according to sources. The school hoped to meet with him in person Sunday for a formal interview, but he declined in order to remain at Iowa. As other candidates withdrew from consideration, Malone’s candidacy gathered momentum over the next 18 hours.
More on McCollum: He had contact w/ UNC last week as the search played out, per sources. UNC was hoping to meet with him in person Sunday for a proper interview but he passed on that invitation to stay at Iowa. Malone's candidacy picked up speed as others removed their names.