UNC basketball coach candidates: Who will replace Hubert Davis? Expect big names linked

Hubert Davis is out at North Carolina.

That means one of the most well-resourced, tradition-rich jobs in all of college basketball is open.

Expect some of the sport’s biggest names linked to the opening. Will UNC stay in the family like it did with Davis, Roy Williams, Matt Doherty and Bill Guthridge since Dean Smith retired after the 1997 season?

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Debate: Why Todd Golden, Nate Oats should (and shouldn’t) consider UNC

Why was Hubert Davis fired? North Carolina says it ‘must move forward’

UNC announced its “change in leadership” Tuesday, less than a week after the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead and lost to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It marked the second straight year UNC was bounced in the first round.

UNC says it will conduct a “national search” for its next coach with help from search firm Turnkey ZRG, as well as take input from “former players, former coaches and supporters of UNC Athletics”

Here’s a look at some possible candidates UNC may consider:

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Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls coach

Donovan, 60, was a two-time national champion at Florida and has been in the NBA for the last 11 seasons, including six in his current capacity as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. His history as a college coach for 19 years with the Gators, including 16 straight seasons with 20 or more wins – and his NBA ties – equip him to help UNC adapt to modern college basketball. Donovan brings perspective from the best of both worlds and would be the perfect fit in Chapel Hill.

Hayes: Time to see how serious UNC is about basketball. Go get Todd Golden

Nate Oats, Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats looks on against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

If UNC wants to fix its NCAA Tournament woes, then how about a coach who’s gone to the Sweet 16 four straight years at a football school? Oats’ success includes a Final Four trip in 2024, with the…

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Publish date : 2026-03-25 01:36:00

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