UNC basketball candidates: What Tar Heels must pay in buyouts for these coaches

The biggest opening on the men’s college basketball coaching carousel thus far is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The Tar Heels announced on Tuesday, March 24, that Hubert Davis would not return to his alma mater for a sixth season after UNC was upset in the first round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament by 11-seed VCU. In a statement posted on his social media, Davis said he was “let go by” North Carolina and that he wanted to “still coach” the Tar Heels.

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

Davis’ tenure is highlighted by leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four as a No. 8 seed in his first season. The Tar Heels went 125-54 overall in five seasons under Davis, but a near-70% winning percentage was not good enough for another year, as the program saw a second straight first-weekend exit in March Madness.

It’s an important hiring cycle for the Tar Heels, who have athletic director Bubba Cummingham retiring and Steve Newmark soon taking over. It could also be a historic one, as UNC said it is looking to hire someone with no ties to the Tar Heels — something that hasn’t happened in 74 seasons.

If North Carolina wants to hire its replacement for Davis from among the top coaches and rising stars in the sport, it will need to be ready to make a significant financial investment simply to lure them away from their current programs.

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Here’s a look at the buyouts for some of the Tar Heels’ top potential candidates:

UNC basketball candidates: How much will these coaches cost Tar Heels?

Editor’s note: All information via coach contracts obtained by USA TODAY Network. This list does not include candidates coaching at private institutions such as Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, Gonzaga’s Mark Few and Saint Louis’ Josh Schertz.

Nate Oats, Alabama

Buyout: $18 million ($10 million on April 1)

There’s no question Oats is one of the top coaches in college basketball after leading the Crimson Tide to the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight season and fifth time in the last six years. He also has a 2024 Final Four appearance. But his buyout number could be a deal-breaker for…

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Publish date : 2026-03-25 18:18:00

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