North Carolina hired former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone to lead its basketball program after Iowa head coach Ben McCollum declined an interview. McCollum had led the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.
North Carolina's coaching search ended Monday with the hiring of former NBA champion Michael Malone, most recently of the Denver Nuggets. Malone, the winningest coach in Nuggets history with a 2023 NBA title, was not, however, the first choice.
Arizona's Tommy Lloyd was a primary target, but the only formal offer went to Iowa head coach Ben McCollum. According to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, McCollum declined the chance to interview.
Sources indicate McCollum stayed in contact with UNC last week as the search unfolded. The school hoped to meet with him in person on Sunday, but McCollum declined, opting to remain at Iowa.
Malone's Emergence
As other candidates withdrew, Malone’s candidacy gained momentum over an 18-hour period. While McCollum would have been a strong hire, his deep roots in Iowa made the decision difficult. His family has moved for the job three times in the last three seasons.
The Malone Hire
Malone, the first North Carolina coach without prior playing or coaching experience at the school since Frank McGuire in 1952, has some familiarity with Chapel Hill. His daughter, Bridget, plays volleyball for UNC. He is coming off a dominant run with the Denver Nuggets, leading them to their first NBA title in 2023.
The Davis Era
North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on March 24, following the Tar Heels’ second straight first-round NCAA tournament exit – this year an 82-78 upset loss to VCU. Davis finished with a 125-54 record, a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season title in 2024.
Analysis
That North Carolina pivoted so quickly to Malone after McCollum declined speaks to the urgency felt in Chapel Hill. It is also an aggressive bet that NBA experience translates in a college landscape increasingly dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal maneuvering.
Malone's first task will be assembling a staff. His NBA connections are deep, but he'll need college-specific recruiters to navigate the dramatically changed landscape he now faces.
