North Carolina coach Hubert Davis has grabbed the headlines since the No. 6 Tar Heels were unexpectedly bounced from the NCAA Tournament by the No. 11 VCU Rams in the first round last week. The Tar Heels’ upset loss placed Davis firmly in the hottest seat in college basketball.
Davis’ future in Chapel Hill has remained uncertain, even as fans and analysts have called for North Carolina to fire the coach after the program’s second consecutive early exit in March Madness.
Seth Davis Blasts North Carolina’s Handling of Hubert Davis
In a lengthy post on X on Monday, college basketball insider Seth Davis weighed in on how North Carolina has handled the delicate Davis situation since the Tar Heels’ Big Dance exit last week.
“Not sure I’ve seen many situations like the one that is happening at North Carolina regarding Hubert Davis. My understanding is the administration asked Hubert if he wants to continue, and he said emphatically yes. To let it go on for this long with no decision is not fair to anyone,” Seth Davis wrote.
“At this point, it would be very, very difficult to bring him back. He would enter next season under a huge cloud. Usually, the best strategy in this situation is to rip the Band-Aid off and make a decision one way or the other. To let it linger for this long is unnecessary and unhealthy.”
In his five-year tenure at the helm of North Carolina, Davis has won one regular-season ACC title and reached the national championship game in 2022. He has managed a 68-30 ACC and 125-54 overall record.
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Stephen A. Smith Wants Kenny Smith as Next North Carolina Coach
During Monday’s segment of the “First Take” show, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith rooted for North Carolina legend and fellow analyst Kenny Smith to return the Tar Heels to national relevance as the head coach next season.
“If Kenny Smith wants to do it, he should be the next head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels,” Smith said. “That’s right, I said it. This is a man that starred at North Carolina. This is a man that played with (Michael) Jordan, who boogied on Mark Price and those boys.
“Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is a brilliant basketball mind, but I got news for you. I think he’d be an even better recruiter.”
Smith played for the Tar Heels from 1983 to 1987, including one season alongside Michael Jordan, helping lead North Carolina to two Elite Eights and two ACC regular-season championships.
