Michael Malone’s time away from the sidelines didn’t last long.
Malone, the only coach to lead the Nuggets to an NBA championship, is returning to coaching. The University of North Carolina intends to hire Malone to coach its decorated men’s basketball program, according to ESPN.
Malone spent this basketball season as part of ESPN’s NBA broadcast team.
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone motions during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals series against the Los Angeles Lakers, May 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP FILE Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Malone last worked in college basketball as an assistant at Manhattan in 2001. Then, he moved to the NBA ranks as an assistant with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Hornets and Warriors before becoming head coach of the Kings in 2013. He was fired by Sacramento a year later and became coach of the Nuggets in 2015.
The 54-year-old Malone broke Doug Moe’s record for wins by a Nuggets coach last season before being fired alongside general manager Calvin Booth on April 8, 2025.
Nearly a year later, Malone is coaching again. His daughter Bridget was a sophomore outside hitter on the Tar Heels volleyball team last fall.
Malone replaces Hubert Davis, who was fired as North Carolina coach on March 24.
This story is developing.