Michael Malone hired as UNC basketball coach

Malone replaces Hubert Davis as head coach of the Tar Heels

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:40am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, white, and black, conveying the conceptual idea of a program in transition.The hiring of a new coach signals a shift in direction for the storied UNC basketball program.Shelby Today

The University of North Carolina has hired Michael Malone as the new head coach of the men's basketball team, replacing Hubert Davis who had been the head coach since 2021.

Why it matters

Malone is a highly respected coach with extensive experience at both the college and professional levels. His hiring is seen as a major coup for the Tar Heels as they look to return to national prominence after a few down seasons.

The details

Malone, 54, has spent the past 8 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has never been a head coach at the college level, but has a strong reputation for player development and implementing an up-tempo, analytics-driven style of play.

  • Malone was hired on April 6, 2026.
  • He will take over the UNC program immediately and begin preparations for the 2026-27 season.

The players

Michael Malone

The new head coach of the UNC men's basketball team, bringing over 15 years of NBA coaching experience to Chapel Hill.

Hubert Davis

The former UNC head coach who was relieved of his duties after 5 seasons at the helm of the Tar Heels program.

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What they’re saying

“Michael Malone is one of the brightest young minds in basketball, and we're thrilled to have him leading our program.”

— Bubba Cunningham, UNC Athletic Director

“I'm excited for the opportunity to coach at such a storied program as UNC. I can't wait to get to work and help restore the Tar Heels to national prominence.”

— Michael Malone

What’s next

Malone will immediately begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to join the UNC program.

The takeaway

The hiring of Michael Malone as the new UNC basketball coach signals a major shift in the program's direction as they look to return to the top of the college basketball landscape.