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UNC basketball fires Hubert Davis: Follow latest news, coaching candidates
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- UNC basketball fires Hubert Davis: Follow latest news, coaching candidates
It's been over two years since North Carolina basketball won a first-round NCAA Tournament game, so a coaching change coming for one of the sport's most-recognizable brands.
Fifth-year Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis was be in trouble following North Carolina's loss to No. 11 seed VCU in the first round. UNC blew a 19-point lead in the loss, which is the sixth-largest deficit overcome in the history of March Madness.
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North Carolina fires Hubert Davis: Here are six candidates to consider
Here's the latest on Davis as North Carolina, one of the top jobs in men's college basketball, decides its future. Follow for live updates:
Hubert Davis live updates: UNC basketball makes coaching change
This story will be updated live.
Kenny Smith: Hubert Davis replacement must 'want to retire a Tar Heel'
Kenny Smith, a former UNC basketball great and analyst on TNT, spoke about Davis' firing in halftime of the Purdue-Texas game, expressing thanks to the former Tar Heels coach.
"First of all, Coach Hubert Davis, thank you," Smith said ( via the Fayetteville Observer , part of the USA TODAY Network). "Your service and what you did for North Carolina basketball as a player and as a coach, you moved it forward. And I think people forget that because of one game here and there."
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Smith continued by saying that North Carolina is in a "precarious position" moving forward, claiming whoever North Carolina replaces Davis with must "want to retire a Tar Heel."
"Dean Smith retired as a Tar Heel. Roy Williams retired as a Tar Heel. Hubert Davis was going to retire a Tar Heel," Smith said. "Whoever we (get to) come in, they have to want to retire a Tar Heel. … Retire a Tar Heel, the next person."
Smith also said it was "disrespectful" for ESPN's Stephen A. Smith to suggest him as a potential replacement for Davis.
Jalen Rose says UNC AD 'behaved like a coward' in firing Hubert Davis
Ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16 games, TBS/CBS Sports analyst Jalen Rose called out North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham for the school's handling of Hubert Davis' firing.
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"I think the AD from Carolina behaved like a coward the way he fired Hubert," Rose said. "Because if you go into the tournament without your best player, who is going to be a lottery pick, like you're already hamstrung. And so, you can't come out and compliment his character and turn around and fire him at the same time. I just don't respect that."
Arizona AD Desiree Reed-Francois weighs in on Tommy Lloyd's future
"Tommy has done a phenomenal job. He's one of the best coaches in America. We have been engaged with his representatives about a new contract since before the start of the NCAA Tournament. Those discussions will continue and it is our goal that he retires as a Wildcat," the Wildcats' athletic director told CBS Sports.
Lloyd broke Brad Stevens' NCAA Division I record for most wins by a head coach in five seasons just a few weeks ago. He has Arizona in the Sweet 16 against No. 4 Arkansas on Thursday, and has a buyout of $9 million, though that would drop to $6.25 million on April 1.
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Nate Oats addresses UNC basketball opening
Alabama coach Nate Oats candidly answered questions about his future with Alabama on Thursday, March 26, at the United Center in Chicago during a media availability. The takeaway: Oats, who has a $18 million buyout before April 1, is not expected to jump ship from the Crimson Tide for the Tar Heels.
"As a young high school coach, I didn't think I'd ever be in this spot not too long ago. I'm not a guy that's always trying to jump around," Oats said. "The grass isn't always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama.
"I'm not looking to leave."
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REQUIRED READING: Nate Oats addresses Alabama future amid UNC rumors: 'I'm not looking to leave'
Michigan AD Warde Manuel weighs in on Dusty May's future
"I want Dusty to be the coach at Michigan for a long time and continue to achieve great success. I will actively work with him towards making all that happen," the Wolverines' athletic director told CBS' Jon Rothstein .
May is 60-13 in two years at Michigan, with two Sweet 16 appearances.
What Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said about UNC basketball opening
The Arizona coach has been linked with the job as a potential candidate and was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:
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"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.
"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.
"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."
Why Jerry Stackhouse is the right choice for UNC basketball, writes CL Brown
The Tar Heels have one name that's not the top candidate pundits will throw out, but he just may be the best fit at a place where tradition matters.
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CL Brown explains hiring Jerry Stackhouse would not be making the same mistake twice. It would be North Carolina honoring its tradition before there's nothing left to honor. Read his full column here .
T.J. Otzelberger addresses UNC coaching cycle rumors, future at Iowa State
Ahead of his team's Sweet 16 game against No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday, March 27, Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger started his media availability in Chicago by addressing his name being tied to other job openings.
He did not directly mention North Carolina. Here's what he said:
"Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true," Otzelberger said on March 25.
Later Wednesday, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard took to social media and wrote that he was "Excited for Cyclone Nation that TJ is not going anywhere - he will be our basketball coach for a long time!" - John Leuzzi
Brad Stevens removes himself from UNC coaching search
Following Davis' firing at North Carolina, one of the top projected candidates for UNC's coaching search has removed himself from the candidate pool, per CBS Sports : Former Butler coach and current president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics .
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Nate Oats, Todd Golden 'not expected to be in the running' for UNC job
The Athletic , citing "people familiar with (North Carolina's) thinking," reports Alabama's Nate Oats and Florida's Todd Golden are "not expected to be in the running" for the North Carolina job.
Despite the coaches' on-court success — Golden led Florida to a national championship last season, and Oats has led Alabama to four straight Sweet 16 berths, including trips to the Elite Eight and Final Four — their buyouts are significant. Moreover, both have dealt with off-court issues in their respective tenures .
REQUIRED READING: Why Todd Golden, Nate Oats should (and shouldn't) consider UNC basketball
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What Hubert Davis said after UNC fired him
He released a statement Tuesday night after the news of his dismissal:
"Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing."
Latest UNC basketball coach candidates hot board
Who will replace Hubert Davis? USA TODAY Sports' Blake Toppmeyer and Fayetteville Observer UNC reporter Rodd Baxley put together a list of names that figure to surface in the Tar Heels' national search for its next head coach.
Why was Hubert Davis fired?
North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham and executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark, the soon-to-be athletic director, made the decision to part ways with Davis.
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"We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget," Cunningham said in a statement . "This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."
Hubert Davis will not return as UNC basketball coach
Hubert Davis will not return as Tar Heels head coach for a sixth season, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
We will have more on this developing story.
Seth Davis says no decision yet is 'not fair for anyone'
CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis posted Tuesday, March 24, on X that North Carolina has asked Davis if he wants to continue coaching, and that Davis said, "emphatically yes."
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Not sure I've seen many situations like the one that is happening at North Carolina regarding Hubert Davis," Davis wrote . "... To let it go on for this long with no decision is not fair to anyone. At this point it would be very very difficult to bring him back. He would enter next season under a huge cloud.
"Usually the best strategy in this situation is to rip the Band-Aid off and make a decision one way or the other. To let it linger for this long is unnecessary and healthy. Here's hoping we get a decision on this one way or another very very soon."
Would Todd Golden or Nate Oats consider UNC job?
Would Florida's Todd Golden or Alabama's Nate Oats consider the North Carolina job, should it open? USA TODAY Network's Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh if the leading SEC coaches would leave for the Tar Heels.
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REQUIRED READING: Why Todd Golden, Nate Oats should (and shouldn't) consider UNC basketball
Possible Hubert Davis replacements if UNC basketball fires him
If UNC opts for a change, it should strongly consider looking outside of the family to replace Davis, after the succession plan of Roy Williams to Davis fizzled, writes USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer . He suggest six names for the post, including three who have won national titles.
Hubert Davis radio show 'postponed'
Davis' weekly radio show set for Monday, March 23, was postponed, according to the Fayetteville Observer , part of the USA TODAY Network.
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"We will communicate any future scheduling updates," host Jones Angell wrote.
ESPN reports North Carolina 'in discussions' about future
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported March 21 that North Carolina was in discussion about Davis' future following its loss to VCU. ESPN said a decision was expected to be made in the coming days.
ESPN also reported Davis' departure wouldn't be termed as an "outright firing," due to his strong ties to the university, dating back to his time as both a player and assistant coach.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hubert Davis fired by UNC basketball: Latest news, coaching candidates
