What they’re saying about Michael Malone coaching UNC basketball
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Malone introduced as UNC coach, backed by admins, former players and some NBA figures.
- Former players and NBA colleagues cite experience for quick rebuild, success.
- Malone enters job with multiple ties to UNC, men’s basketball program.
READ MORE
UNC basketball coach search
UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis coached the Tar Heels for five seasons but was let go after they were defeated in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. On April 7, the university hired former NBA coach Michael Malone. Here’s ongoing coverage of North Carolina’s coaching transition.
Expand All
Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone stood on the podium at the Dean Smith Center on Tuesday night as North Carolina officially introduced him as its next men’s basketball coach. Malone wore a Carolina blue tie and, on his suit jacket, a “Dean Smith” lapel pen, the same one Hubert Davis regularly wore.
The moment felt like the past meeting the present.
Malone received support from the administrators who approved his hefty contract and those who knew the program needed to quickly fill its vacancy. But, he’s received support from some of the people who matter the most: former Carolina players and those who worked with Malone in his previous stops.
Antawn Jamison and Danny Green were among the UNC players who briefly worked with Malone when he was an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyler Hansbrough, Kenny Smith, Harrison Barnes and Theo Pinson were also among former players to praise the hire.
“He embodies all the characteristics of Carolina basketball,” Jamison said this week during a podcast. “Unbelievable guy. Great character. Great human being, he’s a father. … I’m excited because of my personal relationship with him and what Carolina basketball’s getting.”
Hansbrough said during a Field of 68 podcast on Monday that he’s “fired up” and called Malone a “brilliant basketball mind.” The belief, Hansbrough said, is Malone will have the resources to win quickly and put Carolina back atop the college basketball world.
“Mike Malone, the ultimate competitor, he is going to figure this out fast and he’s going to have it running,” Hansbrough said. “We are going to be back on the map, we are going to be a force.”
Under the radar, not overlooked
Malone’s candidacy flew under the radar, with names like Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Dusty May (Michigan) and Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls) receiving the most attention. For many, Malone’s hire came as a shock.
Just ask David Adelman, Nuggets head coach and Malone’s former assistant. During a pregame media availability this week, Adelman said he hadn’t heard Malone — who was fired by the Nuggets last April — was in contention for the job.
Despite the surprise, Adelman said Malone is perfect to lead the Tar Heels, citing the professionalization of college sports. He knows how to coach guys who are making money and, with his assistant coaching experience early in his career, he understands what it takes to get the most out of young players.
“He belongs in coaching,” Adelman said. “That’s what he should be doing. … “He was great to me. I’ll be his biggest cheerleader, and I just think it’s awesome. It’s awesome for all basketball, NBA and college included.”
Nikola Jokic, who won the title and three MVPs during Malone’s tenure, praised his former coach this week.
“I’m happy for him. I think it’s a little bit different because he was coaching (in the) NBA for 12-15 years, but he definitely has the poise and the brain to do it,” Jokic said. “I think he’s gonna do a really good job, because he can actually coach the guys. He’s gonna have time to coach the guys and teach them how to play the game the right way.”
‘The most important hire we’ve had’
Much was made before Malone’s hire about the program hiring from outside the “Carolina family” for the first time in decades, but he’s not seen as that far removed.
Malone was born in Queens, New York, and attended Loyola of Maryland, but his daughter, Bridget, is a freshman on the Carolina volleyball team. He coached alumni of the program and even attended a number of UNC basketball practices in the fall after connecting with assistant coach Pat Sullivan. Malone earned the privilege of sitting courtside, something Hubert Davis rarely allowed for those deemed as outsiders.
Davis even kicked a trash can during one particularly uninspiring practice and apologized to Malone for having to witness it.
“Coach Davis — he sent me an amazing message yesterday — allowed me to come in and watch and be a part of this family, which does not happen very often, if ever,” Malone said. “I would spend time with the coaches, and I was rooting for them all year long.”
Malone called Tuesday a “bittersweet” day, knowing what transpired for him to be in the position, and expressed gratitude for Davis. Without him, things may be very different.
Davis, however, taught Malone what it means to be part of the family. He wants former players to come back and wants to create an environment that encourages future generations to return when their time is done.
“Unfortunately, in this business as coaches, this is part of it,” Malone said. “You don’t get a chance to see it through all the time. … What he taught me was, treat this place with respect, in regard to all those that came before you. You’re going to get that every single day.”
He’s not going to have it all figured out on Day 1, but players believe the relationships he built and knowledge he gained last fall will help Malone jumpstart the transition process.
“This is the most important hire we’ve had in Carolina basketball history, and I couldn’t be more excited about it right now,” Hansbrough said. “I think we made the best decision possible.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2026 at 6:15 AM with the headline "What they’re saying about Michael Malone coaching UNC basketball."
.JPG)
