Social media reacts to UNC hiring Michael Malone as next head coach

After nearly two weeks of searching, the UNC men's basketball team has its next head coach . On Monday afternoon, North Carolina hired longtime Denver Nuggets boss Michael Malone. A proven winner known for talent development and his 2023 NBA Championship, Malone has Tar Heel Nation buzzing.

Denver won a playoff series in all but one of Malone's 10 seasons in charge – and UNC needs that type of postseason production desperately. Despite this being Malone's first head coaching job at the collegiate level, which is cause for concern, Malone is one of the best pure basketball minds out there. Malone is a serious coach who balances intensity with respect, while he is young enough (54 years old) to relate with his players.

North Carolina fired Hubert Davis five days after blowing a 19-point lead to VCU in both teams' NCAA Tournament opener . Like Malone, Davis won plenty (2022 National Championship game berth, 2024 Sweet 16), but the latter failed to develop into an elite coach like Malone. With a 510-394 record as an NBA head coach, Malone is a proven winner.

He'll face some initial hurdles – and deal with hungry fans – but will quickly assimilate to the college game. The transfer portal opens on Tuesday , so there's bound to be questions about Malone's ability to recruit talent. Just look at how Malone developed Nikola Jokic into an MVP.