UNC Taps NBA Champion Coach Michael Malone to Lead Basketball Program

The 54-year-old Malone brings 25 years of NBA experience, including a 2023 title with the Denver Nuggets.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:00am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented geometric shapes in vibrant blue, orange, and silver tones, conceptually representing the transition of an NBA coach to the college game.UNC's surprise hire of NBA champion coach Michael Malone signals a new era of professional-style leadership for the storied basketball program.Chapel Hill Today

In a surprise move, the University of North Carolina has hired former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone to lead its storied men's basketball program. Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2023, is the second high-profile professional coach UNC has hired in recent years after bringing in Bill Belichick to lead the football team.

Why it matters

UNC's basketball program has struggled in recent years, falling behind rivals like Duke. The school is hoping Malone's NBA pedigree and championship experience can help revive the Tar Heels and return them to national prominence.

The details

Malone, who has spent little time coaching at the college level, was hired after UNC's top targets - Arizona's Tommy Lloyd and Michigan's Dusty May - turned down the job. The 54-year-old has 25 years of NBA coaching experience, including a stint as head coach of the Denver Nuggets where he led the team to an NBA title in 2023 with star center Nikola Jokic.

  • Malone was fired by the Nuggets just days before the start of the 2024-25 NBA playoffs.
  • UNC hired Malone in the span of about 48 hours after its other top candidates declined the job.

The players

Michael Malone

A 54-year-old former NBA head coach who won a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Bill Belichick

The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach who UNC hired to lead its football team in 2024.

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets who Malone coached to an NBA title in 2023.

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach at the University of Arizona who was UNC's top target before declining the job.

Dusty May

The head coach at the University of Michigan who was also considered for the UNC job before turning it down.

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What they’re saying

“You have to look at it like, these guys are under contract now. A lot of NBA coaches understand what it means to coach somebody that's making money. And there is a level you can't go to, like it's 1950, but there's definitely a level somewhere in the middle. And I think that's what's appropriate nowadays for the college game.”

— David Adelman, Denver Nuggets Head Coach

“Today, it's easy. You can recruit a guy for a week and get him. You know what I mean? 'Hey, what's your number?'”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

UNC will look to retain Jim Tanner, the program's general manager, as Malone transitions to the college game.

The takeaway

UNC's bold hire of an NBA champion coach like Michael Malone signals the school's desire to modernize its basketball program and return to national prominence, even if it means taking a risk on a coach with limited college experience.