UNC Basketball Weighs Options After Tommy Lloyd Stays at Arizona

Dusty May, Billy Donovan, and Mark Byington emerge as top candidates to replace Hubert Davis as Tar Heels head coach.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:57pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the action of a college basketball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in shades of blue, representing the complex and multifaceted nature of the Tar Heels' coaching search.The search for North Carolina's next head basketball coach has taken an intriguing turn, with several top candidates emerging to lead the storied program.Chicago Today

After Tommy Lloyd announced he is staying at Arizona, the University of North Carolina is now considering several candidates to fill their head basketball coaching vacancy, including Dusty May from Michigan, Billy Donovan from the Chicago Bulls, and Mark Byington from Vanderbilt. The Tar Heels are also looking at Ben McCollum from Iowa as a potential fallback option.

Why it matters

North Carolina is one of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the country, with a rich history of success. Finding the right head coach to lead the Tar Heels is crucial, as they look to return to the top of the sport and compete for national championships.

The details

With Tommy Lloyd off the table, UNC is now focused on several other candidates to replace Hubert Davis as their head coach. Dusty May, the current head coach at Michigan, is seen as a top target, as he has proven he can win at a high level. However, May has stated he is happy at Michigan and may not be interested in leaving. Billy Donovan, the current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, is another name being considered, though it's unclear if he wants to return to the college game after over a decade in the NBA. Mark Byington, the head coach at Vanderbilt, is also viewed as a strong candidate due to his success at lower-profile programs and familiarity with the ACC. Ben McCollum, the head coach at Iowa, is considered a potential fallback option, though his lack of high-major experience could be a concern.

  • On April 3, 2026, Tommy Lloyd announced he is staying at Arizona and will not be the next head coach at North Carolina.
  • The Tar Heels are expected to make a decision on their next head coach in the coming weeks, ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The players

Tommy Lloyd

The current head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, who was considered a top candidate for the North Carolina job but has decided to remain at Arizona.

Dusty May

The current head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who is seen as a top target for the North Carolina job.

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who is being considered for the North Carolina job despite his lengthy NBA tenure.

Mark Byington

The current head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores, who is viewed as a strong candidate for the North Carolina job due to his success at lower-profile programs and familiarity with the ACC.

Ben McCollum

The current head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who is considered a potential fallback option for the North Carolina job despite his lack of high-major experience.

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What they’re saying

“I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats

“I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan.”

— Dusty May, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

The University of North Carolina is expected to make a decision on their next head basketball coach in the coming weeks, ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The search for North Carolina's next head basketball coach has taken an interesting turn, with several high-profile candidates emerging as potential replacements for Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels will need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each candidate to find the right fit to lead their storied program back to national prominence.