North Carolina Set to Hire Former NBA Coach Michael Malone as Head Basketball Coach
North Carolina intends to hire former longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as the school's next basketball coach, sources told ESPN.
The University of North Carolina is set to hire former NBA head coach Michael Malone as its next men's basketball head coach, sources told ESPN. The move marks a significant shift for one of college basketball's most storied programs as it looks to a professional coaching veteran to lead its next era.
Malone, who most recently served as head coach of the Denver Nuggets, brings a wealth of high-level coaching experience to Chapel Hill. He guided Denver to the 2023 NBA Championship, cementing his reputation as one of the premier coaches in professional basketball before parting ways with the franchise earlier this season.
The hire represents a bold and unconventional choice for UNC, which has historically promoted from within or targeted established college coaching figures. Malone would be tasked with filling one of the most demanding seats in the sport, following the legacy of legendary coach Roy Williams and the more recent tenure of Hubert Davis.
Malone's professional pedigree includes stints as an assistant and head coach across multiple NBA franchises, giving him deep experience in player development and high-stakes competition. Those skills are expected to translate well in today's college basketball landscape, particularly as the transfer portal and NIL era continue to blur the lines between college and professional athletics.
UNC officials have not yet made a formal announcement, but sources indicate the deal is progressing rapidly. Tar Heel fans and college basketball observers across the country are watching closely as one of the sport's blue-blood programs prepares to turn the page with a high-profile and history-making appointment.