Michael Malone joins list of NBA coaches to turn to college
Michael Malone joins a short list of basketball coaches in history with North Carolina hire.
Michael Malone joins list of NBA coaches to turn to college originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . A new era is in store for the North Carolina Tar Heels as new head basketball coach Michael Malone officially arrived on campus on Tuesday.
Malone and the Tar Heels inked a six-year, $50 million contract, making him one of the top-5 highest paid college basketball coaches in the country. Malone brings a 12-year NBA coaching resume that includes an NBA Championship to Chapel Hill and becomes the 15th NBA head coach in history to have made the move to a collegiate program. The following coaches have all gone from the NBA to college, including: Fred Hoiberg (Bulls 2017 to Nebraska 2019) Mike Dunleavy Sr.
(Clippers 2009 to Tulane 2016) Avery Johnson (Nets 2011 to Alabama 2015) Jeff Bower (Hornets 2009 to Marist 2013) Isiah Thomas (Knicks 2007 to FIU 2009) Mike Montgomery (Warriors 2005 to Cal 2008) Jeff Bzdelik (Nuggets 2003 to Air Force 2005) Tim Floyd (Hornets 2003 to USC 2005) Jerry Tarkanian (Spurs 1992 to Fresno State 2002) Paul Westhead (Nuggets 1991 to George Mason 1993) Rick Pitino (Knicks 1988 to Kentucky 1989) Larry Brown (Nuggets 1978 to UCLA 1979, Nets 1982 to Kansas 1983, Bobcats 2009 to SMU 2012) John Kundla (Lakers 1958 to Minnesota 1959) First images of Michael Malone touching down in Chapel Hill after becoming the Tar Heels next head coach #TarHeels #GoHeels pic. twitter. com/QtG2tFe0BD — Sammy Profeta (@profeta_sammy) April 7, 2026 NBA to college success stories There are plenty of examples of coaches finding great success when moving from the NBA to college.
None bigger than Larry Brown, who won an NBA Championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, as well as a National Championship with the Kansas Jayhawks in 1988. More recently, Fred Hoiberg went from coaching the Chicago Bulls to a below . 500 record to leading Nebraska to two NCAA Tournament appearances and their first tournament win.