Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman believes that Hubert Davis’ future with the North Carolina Tar Heels could be up in the air after the team’s shock defeat to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament.
Jeff Goodman Questions Hubert Davis’ Future at North Carolina Following First-Round Exit
Calls have grown louder for a big change at Chapel Hill after the Tar Heels were upset by the VCU Rams. North Carolina led by as many as 19 points in the second half before eventually losing 82-78 in overtime.
The implosion marked North Carolina’s second straight first-round NCAA Tournament exit, and questions surrounding Davis’ future as head coach are starting to emerge. Goodman appeared on “The Jim Rome Show” on Friday and discussed how the university might move forward in the aftermath of this shock defeat.
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“The post-game press conference from Hubert Davis did not do him any favors with the fans. It was an abomination,” Goodman said. “As of now, Hubert Davis’s future with North Carolina is up in the air for next year. They have a new AD coming in, and we’ll see if they say that it’s time for Davis.”
“It may even be him walking. It wouldn’t shock me at all if Davis goes in and decides he doesn’t want to do this anymore. He went from a guy who everybody beloved, completely beloved, and now everybody is saying he’s not the right guy,” he added.
Goodman also discussed what went wrong for North Carolina, which let a 19-point lead slip against No. 11 seed VCU. He noted the collapse was a combination of the Rams making plays when they needed to and the Tar Heels failing to execute late.
He cited missed free throws and the inability to get the ball to Henri Veesaar down low as primary factors. Davis was appointed North Carolina head coach in 2021, following the retirement of Roy Williams. He has led the team to a 101-57 record over five seasons.
The former New York Knicks guard led North Carolina to the national championship game in his first season, losing 72-69 to the Kansas Jayhawks in the final. However, the Tar Heels have now suffered two straight first-round exits in a worrying decline.
According to USA Today Sports, Davis’ contract with the university runs until the end of the 2030 season, so parting ways with him in the offseason would cost North Carolina $5.3 million. A final decision on his future will likely be made in the coming days.
