After nearly two weeks of searching, the UNC men’s basketball program has its next head coach. On Monday afternoon, in a move few expected, North Carolina hired Michael Malone to lead the charge.
Malone, who’ll become a college basketball boss for the first time, is a proven winner at the professional level. Malone compiled a 510-394 record across 12 seasons as an NBA head coach: starting with the Sacramento Kings for two seasons, then spending 2015-2015 with the Denver Nuggets.
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It should come as no surprise that, despite the Tar Heels hiring him, Malone generated plenty of interest from NBA teams.
According to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, Malone was a top name in the New Orleans Pelicans’ coaching search. NBA reporter Evan Sidery said the Orlando Magic showed interest in Malone, but only if they fell out of playoff contention.
Malone helped the Nuggets capture the 2023 NBA Championship, while building a star-studded roster featuring 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver made a questionable decision to fire Malone late in its 2024-25 regular season slate, but UNC now gets to benefit from that mistake.
Despite no previous head coaching stops in college, Malone spent his 1994-2001 seasons as an assistant coach between Oakland (MI) University, Providence College and Manhattan University. Leading a program takes on plenty more responsibility, but confidence is rising Malone will succeed in Chapel Hill.
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Hubert Davis wasn’t the answer at North Carolina, despite a surprise run to the 2022 National Championship game, 2024 run to the Sweet 16 and five-consecutive 20-win seasons.
With Malone now leading the Tar Heels, the expectation is title or bust. Malone has a championship pedigree, which UNC desperately needs.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Michael Malone received NBA interest before UNC basketball hiring