North Carolina’s stunning dismissal of Hubert Davis after a first-round NCAA tournament collapse has unleashed one of college basketball’s most high‑profile coaching searches, with at least six elite candidates already in the conversation.
The University of North Carolina, a program steeped in basketball tradition, entered uncharted waters on Tuesday when it parted ways with head coach Hubert Davis, Yahoo Sports confirmed. The decision came less than a week after the Tar Heels suffered one of the most shocking collapses in NCAA tournament history, blowing a 19‑point second‑half lead to VCU in the first round, Yahoo Sports reported.
Davis finished his North Carolina tenure with a 125‑54 record and delivered two of the program’s most iconic victories: beating Duke in Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, then retiring Krzyzewski a month later in the 2022 NCAA tournament. Yet his time in Chapel Hill was also marked by inconsistency—the Tar Heels went from preseason No. 1 to missing the NCAA tournament entirely in 2023, earned a narrow at‑large bid in 2024, and again failed to advance past the first round this March.
The job remains a premier destination because of UNC’s storied history, iconic brand, passionate fan base, and abundant resources. However, the next head coach will navigate a complex landscape: an athletic director transition from Bubba Cunningham to former NASCAR executive Steve Newmark, an ongoing campus debate over renovating or replacing the 40‑year‑old Dean Smith Center, and the challenge of matching the standards set by archrival Duke under Jon Scheyer.
Given those dynamics, the search committee will have a deep pool of A‑list candidates. Here are six heavy hitters who could be in the mix to lead the Tar Heels back to national prominence.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Head Coach
Age: 60
Why he makes sense: Few coaches boast a résumé as impressive as Donovan’s. The three‑time SEC Coach of the Year guided Florida to six regular‑season conference titles, four Final Fours and two national championships over 18 seasons. He has spent the past 11 years in the NBA with the Thunder and Bulls and may be seeking a fresh start after the Bulls fell to 12th place in the East.
Why he doesn’t: Donovan might prefer to stay in the NBA, and the Bulls’ schedule doesn’t end until April 12. A bigger question is whether he can adapt to the modern college game’s landscape of NIL deals, unlimited transfers and annual roster churn after more than a decade away.
Todd Golden, Florida Head Coach
Age: 40
Why he makes sense: Golden emerged as a rising star by winning a national championship last season—the youngest coach since Jim Valvano to do so—and followed it with an outright SEC title and a second straight No. 1 seed. He is analytically cutting‑edge, excels at player development and has transformed mid‑major transfers and three‑star recruits into NBA prospects.
Why he doesn’t: Golden already proved he can win titles at Florida, so a move is not urgent. A buyout of $16 million would be owed if he leaves before April 15 (dropping to $11 million after). Additionally, he was the subject of a Title IX investigation last season; Florida closed it in January 2025 with no policy violations, but UNC would still conduct due diligence.
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach
Age: 51
Why he makes sense: After serving as Mark Few’s top lieutenant at Gonzaga, Lloyd has built Arizona into a consistent powerhouse, earning top‑two NCAA tournament seeds in four of his first five seasons. He constructs both elite offensive and defensive teams, recruits top American and international talent, and has the program positioned for a deep run this year.
Why he doesn’t: His résumé lacks a deep NCAA tournament advancement beyond the Sweet 16. Would UNC pay a reported $11 million buyout and would Lloyd, entrenched in Tucson, be willing to leave the West’s top program?
Dusty May, Michigan Head Coach
Age: 49
Why he makes sense: May turned Florida Atlantic into a Final Four contender and quickly built Michigan into a title threat via the transfer portal, adding Aday Mara, Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg and Elliot Cadeau. The Wolverines have 33 wins and cruised through their first two NCAA tournament games.
Why he doesn’t: May has repeatedly expressed happiness in Ann Arbor, a place he chose partly to avoid the intense scrutiny and pressure of a traditional basketball power. There is little incentive for him to disrupt a successful situation.
Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
Age: 51
Why he makes sense: An offensive mastermind, Oats won big at Buffalo and has elevated Alabama to perennial contender status, with five Sweet 16 or better appearances in six years and a top‑four national offensive efficiency rating each of the past three seasons. Basketball is the top priority at UNC, which might appeal to Oats after years of playing second fiddle to football at Alabama.
Why he doesn’t: His buyout is among the highest in the sport—$18 million until April 1, then $10 million. Recent years have also been marred by several high‑profile player arrests and criticism of his crisis management, concerns UNC would have to weigh.
TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach
Age: 48
Why he makes sense: Otzelberger inherited a 2‑22 Iowa State team and has transformed it into a consistent NCAA tournament participant, earning top‑three seeds each of the past three years. His system relies on aggressive traps and ball pressure to force turnovers; the Cyclones have ranked no worse than 13th defensively nationally and were No. 1 two years ago. North Carolina’s financial muscle could provide the NIL resources he’s never had to build a championship roster.
Why he doesn’t: His deep roots in Ames—multiple stints as an assistant before becoming head coach—might make a departure unlikely. Also, his blue‑collar, chip‑on‑the‑shoulder approach may need adaptation to a blue‑blood program stocked with millionaire players, and his lack of an Elite 8 appearance could give UNC pause.
Each candidate brings a distinct profile of success, risk and fit. UNC’s decision will shape not only its own future but the entire balance of power in college basketball. The right hire could immediately propel the Tar Heels back into Final Four contention; the wrong one could prolong a period of mediocrity.
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