North Carolina hires Michael Malone as new head coach after Hubert Davis exit

The University of North Carolina has made a major coaching change by hiring Michael Malone as its new men’s basketball head coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The change follows the firing of Hubert Davis after a first-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking a major shift away from UNC’s traditional coaching lineage.

UNC Breaks From Its Traditional Coaching Identity

North Carolina has long been recognized for hiring coaches with direct connections to the program. However, after Davis’ departure, the idea of moving beyond the long-standing “Carolina coaching tree” became increasingly likely.

As Thamel reported on ESPN, the university finally opted to go "outside the family" in order to start a fresh era of Carolina basketball. For years, UNC has depended on internal ties, with past head coaches which includes Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty, Roy Williams, and Hubert Davis all associated with the program as former players or staff. For around 65 years, the position had been filled by someone with a direct connection to UNC until this selection.

Michael Malone’s Long Coaching Road

Malone brings a long and diverse coaching experience in both college and professional basketball, although he has never earlier coached at the college level as a head coach. His career started in the college ranks as an assistant at many programs:

• Friends School of Baltimore (1993–1994)
  
• Oakland University (1994–1995)
  
• Providence College (1995–1998)
  
• Manhattan College (1999–2001)
  

He later transitioned to the NBA, working as an assistant coach for over a decade:

• New York Knicks (2001–2005)
  
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2005–2010)
  
• New Orleans Hornets (2010–2011)
  
• Golden State Warriors (2011–2013)
  

Malone’s first NBA head coaching job came with the Sacramento Kings in 2013. However, following a 28–54 season and an 11–13 start the year after, he was dismissed early in the 2014–2015 campaign.

He was later hired by the Denver Nuggets in 2015, where he spent 10 seasons and established a successful tenure that included leading the franchise to its initial NBA championship in 2023. During his time in Denver, he had a 471–327 regular-season mark. Across his NBA head coaching career, Malone completed 510–394 with a 44–36 playoff record in more than 904 games. He has also served as an NBA analyst with ESPN.

A Strategic Shift for the Program

The hire signifies a clear exit from North Carolina’s long-standing tradition of internal promotions. The Tar Heels currently turn to an outside leader with professional-level experience to guide the program into a fresh era following consecutive early NCAA Tournament exits.

With the transfer portal opening immediately, Malone enters into the role at a significant time for roster rebuilding and program direction.

FAQs:

Q1. Who is the new North Carolina head coach?
Michael Malone has been named the new head coach of North Carolina men’s basketball. The hire was reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Q2. Why did UNC change its coach?
UNC fired Hubert Davis after a first-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The program decided it needed a fresh direction after recent struggles.