Arizona's Tommy Lloyd agrees to extension amid status as potential candidate for UNC job

Lloyd says he's staying with the Wildcats after being considered for the North Carolina coaching vacancy.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a college basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the dynamic energy and tactical intricacies of the sport.An abstract, geometric interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between Arizona and its Final Four rival, reflecting the intense competition and strategic complexity of elite college basketball.Indianapolis Today

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd announced that he is staying with the Wildcats, agreeing to a contract extension through the 2030-31 season. Lloyd had been mentioned as a potential candidate for the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina, which recently became vacant, but he said he is happy to remain at Arizona.

Why it matters

Lloyd's decision to stay at Arizona is significant, as the Wildcats are one of the top college basketball programs in the country. His extension provides stability for the program and keeps him from potentially leaving for another high-profile job like the one at North Carolina.

The details

Lloyd, 51, had previously been under contract at Arizona through the 2029-30 season, with an average annual salary of nearly $5.5 million. His new extension runs through the 2030-31 season, though financial terms were not disclosed. Lloyd deflected questions about the UNC opening as Arizona advanced to the Final Four, but he praised the Tar Heels as a 'first-class organization' and said it was an 'honor' to be considered for the job.

  • On March 24, North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis after five seasons.
  • On April 3, Lloyd announced he is staying at Arizona and agreed to a contract extension through the 2030-31 season.

The players

Tommy Lloyd

The 51-year-old head coach of the Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team, who agreed to a contract extension to remain with the program through the 2030-31 season.

Hubert Davis

The former head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team, who was fired on March 24 after five seasons.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, who has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the North Carolina job but said he will 'never respond to any job speculation.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona. We've been able to get some things done the past couple days.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats

“Arizona basketball, you guys know what it means to me, and when I say it's a special place, that always comes from the bottom of my heart.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats

“North Carolina is an amazing place. I mean, it's a 1 of 1. It's an honor to even be considered for that job.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats

“I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. Yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go and then I'll comment on every job.”

— Dusty May, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

The University of North Carolina will continue its search for a new head coach after being turned down by Tommy Lloyd. The Tar Heels will likely consider other top candidates, such as Dusty May, to fill the vacancy.

The takeaway

Tommy Lloyd's decision to remain at Arizona demonstrates his commitment to the program and its success. His contract extension provides stability for the Wildcats as they look to build on their recent Final Four appearance. The North Carolina job search, meanwhile, continues as the Tar Heels seek to find the right leader to revive their storied basketball program.