New UNC Coach Malone Vows to Overtake Duke

Former Nuggets coach aims to restore Tar Heels to prominence in ACC

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping scenes of a college basketball game, with sharp planes of color and form representing the intense rivalry between the two teams.The new era of the Duke-UNC rivalry is set to be a clash of contrasting styles and philosophies as Michael Malone looks to challenge Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils.Greenville Today

After North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis following another early NCAA Tournament exit, the Tar Heels made a surprising hire, bringing in former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone on a lucrative six-year, $50 million contract. Malone, who led the Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023, is now tasked with reviving the UNC program and challenging their arch-rival Duke, who has dominated the ACC in recent years.

Why it matters

The Duke-UNC rivalry is one of the most storied in college basketball, and Malone's arrival at Chapel Hill sets the stage for a potentially epic new chapter. With Duke's continued success under Jon Scheyer, Malone has made it clear he didn't come to North Carolina to be second best, setting up an intriguing power struggle atop the ACC.

The details

In his introductory press conference, Malone wasted no time taking aim at Duke, saying 'I know that Duke is a program down the road and they've had success, but I didn't come here to be second best, I didn't come here to lose in the first round of the ACC Tournament. I came here to win and win at a big level.' The Tar Heels have struggled in recent years, getting bounced in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Duke has won three ACC Tournament titles and earned a 1-seed in the Big Dance in each of the last two years under Scheyer.

  • North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis after being eliminated by 11-seed VCU in the Round of 64 this past season.
  • Malone spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, leading them to an NBA championship in 2023.

The players

Michael Malone

The new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, who previously spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, leading them to an NBA championship in 2023.

Jon Scheyer

The current head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who has led the program to three ACC Tournament titles and three straight Elite Eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament over the last four seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I love rivalries… I'm excited to be apart of that rivalry… I know that Duke is a program down the road and they've had success, but I didn't come here to be second best, I didn't come here to lose in the first round of the ACC Tournament. I came here to win and win at a big level.”

— Michael Malone, New UNC Head Coach

What’s next

Malone and the Tar Heels will get their first chance to challenge Duke and Jon Scheyer when the two teams meet in the regular season next year, setting the stage for a potentially epic new chapter in the storied rivalry.

The takeaway

Michael Malone's arrival at North Carolina sets up a compelling new power struggle atop the ACC, as the former NBA champion coach looks to quickly restore the Tar Heels to prominence and challenge Duke's recent dominance in the rivalry. Malone's bold proclamations have already raised the stakes for next season's matchups between the two programs.