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    Michael Malone hired as UNC basketball coach; former NBA champion replaces Hubert Davis

    Michael Malone hired as UNC basketball coach; former NBA champion replaces Hubert Davis
    Austin Curtright and John Brice, USA TODAY NETWORK
    ·
    4 min read

    North Carolina has its next basketball coach, as it's hiring former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone for its vacancy, the school announced Tuesday, April 7. The news was originally confirmed by USA TODAY on April 6.

    Malone was fired by the Nuggets before the playoffs in 2025, two years after winning the NBA Finals with the organization. The 54-year-old coach last coached in college in 2001 as an assistant at Manhattan, after stints at Oakland (1994-95) and Providence (1995-98).

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    Malone's daughter, Bridget Malone, plays volleyball at North Carolina. He replaces Hubert Davis, who was fired after the Tar Heels' first-round loss to No. 11 seed VCU in the NCAA Tournament.

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    Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

    It's an outside-the-box hire for North Carolina, opting for a coach who has never been a college head coach before. The timing of the hire also makes sense, with the transfer portal officially opening April 7.

    "Carolina is one of the most historic programs in college basketball, and I am honored to be the head coach of the Tar Heels," Malone said. "It is humbling to follow so many legends in Chapel Hill. I know from the many Tar Heels in the NBA how special the Carolina Basketball Family is, and I will do everything I can to continue UNC's championship legacy while preparing our players for professional careers and life after basketball.

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    "I offer my thanks to Chancellor Roberts, Steve and Bubba, the Board of Trustees and the search committee. I am proud to be a Tar Heel and can't wait to get started."

    In 10 seasons with the Nuggets, Malone went 471-327 (.590), reaching the playoffs six times. He has 510 career NBA wins, also spending two seasons as the Sacramento Kings ' head coach before he was fired.

    The Tar Heels were tied to multiple Final Four coaches like Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Michigan's Dusty May, although both turned down the job publicly. Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan was also tied to the role, although the former two-time national champion with Florida was adamant about sticking with the Bulls through the remainder of the regular season, which would've likely posed a threat to North Carolina's recruiting timeline for next season, especially with the portal window only lasting 15 days this offseason.

    Malone's hire also signals a change in North Carolina's hiring philosophy. He's the school's first hire since Frank McGuire in 1952 to not have had prior connections to the school as either a player or assistant coach, although his daughter is a student at the school. Davis was a longtime assistant and player, Roy Williams graduated from North Carolina, Matt Doherty played at North Carolina, Bill Guthridge was an assistant before he was hired and so was Dean Smith, one of the most legendary coaches in college basketball history.

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    "Michael was the first coach we engaged with as part of the search process because of his reputation as a selfless teacher and innovator who brings an incredible ability to connect with players and get the absolute best out of those he mentors,'' said Steve Newmark, who will become UNC's athletic director on July 1. "He is a brilliant coach who will deliver a modern and disciplined approach to leading our men's basketball program, which is critical in the current landscape of college athletics. Carolina basketball is unique and special – and we have hired a leader well-suited to continuing our championship tradition."

    Malone cut his teeth as an NBA assistant, working for the New York Knicks (2001-05), Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10), New Orleans Hornets (2010-11) and Golden State Warriors (2011-13) before landing his first head-coaching gig with the Kings. He was also an NBA All-Star Game head coach in 2019 and 2023.

    The Queens, New York native spent most of his career with Nikola Jokic , a 3-time MVP winner with the Nuggets and one of the best players in the world. Malone was most recently an NBA analyst with ESPN.

    Michael Malone coaching record, history

    Head coaching record

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    • 2013-14 Sacramento:28-54

    • 2014-15 Sacramento:11-13

    • 2015-16 Denver:33-49

    • 2016-17 Denver:40-42

    • 2017-18 Denver:46-36

    • 2018-19 Denver:54-28, conference semifinals

    • 2019-20 Denver:46-27, conference finals

    • 2020-21 Denver:47-25, conference semifinals

    • 2021-22 Denver:48-34, first round

    • 2022-23 Denver:53-29, NBA champions

    • 2023-24 Denver:57-25, conference semifinals

    • 2024-25 Denver:47-32

    This story has been updated.

    This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Malone hired as next North Carolina basketball coach

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