After the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball parted ways with head coach Hubert Davis on Tuesday, several names have quickly emerged in the college basketball rumor mill. UNC, a blueblood program, carries high expectations, putting immediate pressure on the next hire.
North Carolina Tar Heels Coaching Search: NBA and College Candidates to Replace Hubert Davis
After news of Davis’ firing circulated Tuesday night, The Athletic posted on X two names that might be in the mix: Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd.
“North Carolina’s wish list includes some of the best coaches in the country,” according to The Athletic’s post. “And sources familiar with the program’s thinking indicate two coaches as the Tar Heels’ present priorities: Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls … Tommy Lloyd, Arizona.”
North Carolina’s wish list includes some of the best coaches in the country.
And sources familiar with the program’s thinking indicate two coaches as the Tar Heels’ present priorities:
◽️ Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
◽️ Tommy Lloyd, Arizona pic.twitter.com/gPKZX6PqFh
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 25, 2026
Donovan has prior college head-coaching experience, dating back to his time leading the Florida Gators. According to college basketball writer Brendan Marks of The Athletic, Donovan would “immediately improve North Carolina’s on-court product, and it’s hard to imagine his NBA credentials wouldn’t juice the Tar Heels’ recruiting efforts.”
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Lloyd is currently busy coaching his Wildcats as they have advanced to the Sweet 16 in this season’s NCAA Men’s Tournament. He is a proven winner, and Arizona was a No. 1 seed in this year’s tournament.
“Lloyd, 51, has been a rock star since taking over in Tucson in 2021, going 146-35 with six combined conference regular-season and tournament titles over that stretch, between the former Pac-12 and current Big 12,” Marks wrote. Reportedly, some North Carolina higher-ups are impressed with Lloyd, who coached under Gonzaga head coach Mark Few.
Few was seen as a potential replacement when Roy Williams left back in 2021, but Few chose to stay with Gonzaga. Marks also reported that Lloyd’s buyout at Arizona is close to $11 million, which might be too steep for North Carolina. That reportedly is the largest buyout among any candidates to lead the Tar Heels’ program.
Marks also mentioned Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington, Michigan head coach Dusty May, and Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger as potential candidates.
Now, the heavy lifting is up to outgoing North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham and incoming athletic director Steve Newmark, who has NASCAR experience. This will be Newmark’s first college hire, and it is a significant one.
