Five Potential Replacements for Ousted UNC Basketball Coach

North Carolina is searching for a new head coach after firing Hubert Davis following a first-round NCAA Tournament exit.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 2:48am

North Carolina has fired head basketball coach Hubert Davis after five seasons, and the school is now searching for a new leader for its storied program. Several potential candidates have emerged, including T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State, Todd Golden of Florida, Dusty May of Michigan, Josh Schertz of Saint Louis, and Tommy Lloyd of Arizona.

Why it matters

The UNC head coaching job is one of the most prestigious in college basketball, with a rich history of success under legendary coaches like Dean Smith and Roy Williams. Finding the right replacement will be crucial for the Tar Heels as they look to return to national prominence and compete for championships.

The details

Davis, a UNC alum who was hand-picked by Williams to succeed him, had an up-and-down tenure, reaching the national title game in his first season but failing to make the NCAA Tournament this year. The Tar Heels are now casting a wide net in their search, with several intriguing candidates emerging. Otzelberger has built a strong program at Iowa State, while Golden led Florida to a national title last season. May has impressed at Michigan, and Schertz and Lloyd have both found success at their current schools.

  • On March 25, 2026, North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis.

The players

Hubert Davis

The former UNC player who was hand-picked by Roy Williams to succeed him as head coach, but was fired after five seasons.

T.J. Otzelberger

The head coach at Iowa State, known for building a top-tier program with a defensive focus.

Todd Golden

The head coach at Florida, who led the Gators to a national championship last season.

Dusty May

The head coach at Michigan, who has been building an outstanding program in Ann Arbor.

Josh Schertz

The head coach at Saint Louis, a longtime winner who could be ready for a major opportunity.

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach at Arizona, a longtime assistant under Gonzaga's Mark Few who has turned the Wildcats into a national title contender.

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What’s next

The UNC athletic department will likely conduct interviews with the top candidates in the coming weeks, with the goal of naming a new head coach before the start of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The UNC head coaching job is one of the most coveted in college basketball, and the school will have a wide range of talented candidates to choose from as they look to restore the program to its former glory. The next hire will be crucial in determining the Tar Heels' future direction.