Is UNC basketball's next coach in Final Four? We haven't heard a 'no' yet

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Is UNC basketball's next coach in Final Four? We haven't heard a 'no' yet

Matthew Glenesk and Rodd Baxley, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Apr 2, 2026 ·

6 min read

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UPDATE: North Carolina has hired former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone for its open head coach position, three people close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports .

It's been a week since North Carolina fired Hubert Davis as its men's basketball coach.

And so far, the job remains open.

That leads many to believe the Tar Heels are focusing their search on a coach in the Final Four , with Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Michigan's Dusty May linked to the job. Or possibly the NBA, with Billy Donovan a prominent name.

What's Plan B? Here's where UNC could turn next, with Tommy Lloyd off table

Opinion: UNC should honor tradition in coaching search. There's one candidate who makes sense

Tommy Lloyd non-denial denials about UNC basketball job

Asked a few times about the Chapel Hill opening, Lloyd hasn't said "no" or "not interested." In fact, his answers have only led to more questions.

"... I feel like my number one responsibility is to fight to protect the program and fight to build it for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me," Lloyd said after leading Arizona to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. "Because you know what, Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you. The place is special."

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.

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Kansas Jayhawks cheerleaders perform before a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the St. John's Red Storm at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, Calif.
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Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

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Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

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VCU Rams fans react after a 3-pointer by Terrence Hill Jr. #6 of the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
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Howard Bison cheerleaders perform during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Michigan Wolverines at Keybank Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.
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BYU Cougars cheerleader in the second half against the Texas Longhorns during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
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Former North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams is seen in the crowd against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Mar 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
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Texas A&M Aggies cheerleaders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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Texas Longhorns band in the first half against the BYU Cougars during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on Mar 19, 2026 in Portland.
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St. John's Red Storm mascot Johnny Thunder mixes with players prior to taking the court during practice day ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 19, 2026 in San Diego, California.
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A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

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The High Point Panthers fans cheer during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The High Point Panthers cheerleaders react during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The North Dakota State Bison mascot and cheerleaders pose for a photo before the game against the Michigan State Spartans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY
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Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer after defeating the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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The Wisconsin Badgers mascot performs during a time out during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland.
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A view of Buddy the Street Dog as Queens University of Charlotte Royals guard Yoav Berman talks to the media during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2026.
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The High Point Panthers band performs prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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High Point Panthers fans cheer prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders preform during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The South Florida Bulls mascot performs during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.
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The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleaders perform in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
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The Troy Trojans mascot dances on the floor during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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The UCF Knights band performs during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.
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Nebraska Cornhuskers cheerleaders perform during the second half against the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader performs during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders perform in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
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Akron Zips fans in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
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Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
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Santa Clara Broncos fans react to game play against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St. Louis, MO.
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Akron Zips cheerleaders and mascot in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
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Wright State Raiders fans celebrate after a Wright State Raiders guard TJ Burch (22) scores during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA.
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Hofstra Pride cheerleaders in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Fla.
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Garth Noble of the Louisville pep band is amped at the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness basketball tournament at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Kentucky. March 21, 2026.
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Michigan head coach Dusty May high-fives players after 95-72 win over Saint Louis at the NCAA Tournament Second Round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish band and spirit squad cheer during the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament against the Fairfield Stags at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 21, 2026.
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Many jumped on the "after me" part of Lloyd's response.

He addressed that comment and the speculation surrounding his future on Tuesday, March 31, before Arizona traveled to Indianapolis for the Final Four.

"It's absolutely true, there is going to be another coach. This is a great program. I didn't say when. And people are going to speculate all they want," Lloyd said. "Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing. Nothing. I promise you nothing is knocking me off that path.

"And you guys might call them distractions because you're distracted. That doesn't mean I'm distracted or we're distracted. You know what's pretty cool? Once you get some experience in this deal, and you're a player or you're a coach who has been at it a while, you get pretty good at eliminating the distractions. So, I think I'm pretty good at that and I just can't wait to get to practice today."

On Thursday, April 2, he was asked again about the persistent UNC chatter and gave a similar answer — which is to say, he still hasn't said "no."

"I've got my full focus on this team. Nothing is distracting me. That's how I've decided to approach it," Lloyd said at media availability in Indianapolis. "I'm 100% locked in or Arizona basketball right now. I'm excited to see what this team can do. I have a real strong belief in this team, and this team deserves my full attention. So that's what I'm giving them."

Former UNC forward Justin Jackson, a former ACC Player of the Year and 2017 national champion with the Tar Heels, discussed Lloyd's potential fit at UNC during a recent appearance on "The Field of 68" podcast.

"I haven't seen him really say no," Jackson said. ". … When I look at this Arizona team, it looks exactly like the North Carolina teams under Roy Williams. That, for me, is what's so intriguing."

Lloyd's buyout dropped from $11 million to $9 million on April 1. He hasn't affirmed his long-term commitment to Arizona or shut down the possibility of taking a job elsewhere.

But Lloyd remains adamant that his focus is on helping Arizona win its first national championship since 1997.

Is Dusty May a candidate for UNC basketball coach job?

As for the other coach in the Final Four who may entice North Carolina, May was asked by "Field of 68" about the UNC opening on Thursday, April 2.

"I decided when my alma mater opened (Indiana), no matter what you said, it could be misinterpreted, and so I'm forever going to not comment on any job that's not mine," he said . "I'm incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four, representing this incredible university and athletic department."

While May won't comment on other jobs, that doesn't mean people aren't trying to connect dots.

"It's my understanding that May and Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham know each other, but that North Carolina has not yet reached out to him," Detroit Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez wrote March 30 .

"... if UNC offers May the job — he and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are potential frontrunners to replace Hubert Davis — May should take it," Monarrez wrote. "Yes, because UNC is a basketball school, but also because it's one of the bluest of the blue-bloods.

Earlier this tournament May was asked what drew him to Ann Arbor and why he believes the Michigan job is "on par or even higher" than traditional blue-blood programs.

"Well, first and foremost, my wife. She was always a big fan of Ann Arbor — the quality of life, everything that comes with the University of Michigan," May said, "And my family has always been a very important part of any decision that I've made, especially when you drag them around like I did chasing this dream.

"That's another reason why I don't get mad at these low-major guys trying to move up to the mid-major. I was trying to do the same thing, and I pride myself on not being hypocritical. But the opportunity to attract high-achieving people — to be around the brightest students, the best professors, and an alumni base that's so connected — that meant a lot.

"I think Michigan is really unique. We say in recruiting that we have the academic profile of Stanford with the passion of SEC football for our athletic department as a whole — and usually those two things aren't merged. So we're very proud that those two things are aligned at Michigan."

What Billy Donovan said about UNC basketball job

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has also been linked to the position.

Donovan, 60, was a two-time national champion at Florida and has been in the NBA for the last 11 seasons, including six in his current role as Chicago Bulls head coach. His history as a college coach for 19 years with the Gators, including 16 straight seasons with 20 or more wins — and his NBA ties — equip him to help UNC adapt to modern college basketball.

"My main focus is on these guys and this new team," Donovan said before the Bulls faced the Philadelphia 76ers on Mach 25 . "I understand that there's stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But, I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we're doing here in Chicago."

The hiring picture will become clearer following the completion of the Final Four on April 6, with the transfer portal set to open for a 15-day period from April 7-21

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UNC basketball coach search news, rumors: Who will North Carolina hire?

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