North Carolina men’s basketball fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday evening, according to multiple reports. The program begins its search for a new head coach after Davis spent five seasons on the job following the legendary Roy Williams. Davis got North Carolina to the national championship in 2022 in a run that included a Final Four victory over Duke in Mike Krzyzewski’s last game, but the Tar Heels decided to move on after consecutive first-round exits.
North Carolina has always been considered one of the premier jobs in college basketball, but the rapidly changing nature of the sport through NIL and the transfer portal has shifted the dynamics of which jobs are truly desirable around the country. Fans will think UNC should be able to handpick whichever coach they want. Actually getting them to accept the job is another matter.
Blueblood jobs don’t open often without a handpicked successor. It feels like there’s no one in line for Davis’ job, and that will make this the most fascinating hire of the offseason. Here’s nine candidates the Tar Heels should consider.
Nate Oats, Alabama
What Oats has done with Alabama is absolutely incredible: five trips to the second weekend of March Madness in the last six years, including four straight with another Sweet 16 game coming this week. Before Alabama hired Oats, the program only had two tournament appearances in 13 seasons under Avery Johnson and Anthony Grant. Oats’ teams have a defined style of play with his ‘math ball,’ targeting analytically friendly rim attempts, three-pointers, and free throws while eschewing the mid-range. A lot of teams play that style, but no one is more committed or successful with it than Oats’ Crimson Tide. There is a question if UNC is really a better job than Alabama in the current environment of college hoops. Bama is in the more stable conference, and it’s typically flush with cash in the transfer portal. I wouldn’t put too much stock in off-court issues like Aden Holloway’s recent weed arrest. Oats should be North Carolina’s first call, and they should make him say no.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
There are reports that Donovan could walk away from the Chicago Bulls this offseason as the team fully commits to a rebuild, and he should still be an extremely hot commodity at the college level. Donovan is in the Hall of Fame for his work guiding Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. He could have been a legendary college coach, but he took the opportunity to coach Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook instead, which has since given way to a much less appealing situation in Chicago. Donovan is 60 years old and hasn’t worked in college in a long time. The landscape of the sport has changed so much since his heyday with the Gators. He’s still a very good coach between the lines, and he would theoretically only take this job if he knew he was getting a huge NIL budget. I’m not sure if Donovan wants to coach in college again, but North Carolina should want him if he’s willing to take the job.
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
Lloyd has a great thing going at Arizona, and I find it unlikely he would leave for the North Carolina job as a long-time West Coast guy. I’m mostly putting him on this list as a sign of respect, because any “blue blood” level program would be wise to make a run at him given his big-time success.
TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State
The 48-year-old has taken Iowa State to the NCAA tournament in all five of his seasons, and this is his third trip to the Sweet 16. His teams always defend at an elite level, with his worst defensive finish being No. 13 since arriving in Ames. He’s also had a top-20 offense the last two seasons. Iowa State is a really good program in the Big 12, but it’s not on North Carolina’s level. If UNC wants Otzelberger, they could make a strong push.
Mark Byington, Vanderbilt
Byington has done a remarkable job in his two seasons at Vanderbilt after leading James Madison to an upset win in the first round of the 2024 tournament. The Commodores had a top-10 offense this year while also having a defense that racked up tons of steals and blocks. Byington was robbed of the chance to make a bigger name for himself when Tyler Tanner’s halfcourt heave rimmed out against Nebraska, but I also wonder if Tanner might be one of the more enticing aspects of his candidacy. I view Tanner as a solid first-round pick this year, but I’m not sure the NBA does given his 6-foot frame. If UNC could land Byington and Tanner as a packaged deal, that could have the Tar Heels ready to compete for a natty next year. We already ranked Tanner as a top-10 player in March Madness this year. You don’t hire a coach just to get one player, especially not at a place like North Carolina, but Byington has a good enough resume and the upside to demand real consideration regardless of who comes with him.
Ben McCollum, Iowa
All Ben McCollum does is win. Who wouldn’t want this guy?
McCollum is the ultimate point guard whisperer. His teams often play super slow, which feels like an odd fit at North Carolina, a program typically known for its uptempo offense. You can’t argue with McCollum’s results after he knocked off defending champion No. 1 seed Florida to bring Iowa to the Sweet 16.
Grant McCasland, Texas Tech
Texas Tech feels like a really good job given its strong NIL investment throughout the athletic department. The Red Raiders paid up to keep JT Toppin around this year, and they wouldn’t let McCasland go without a fight. I’m not sure the 49-year-old coach would actually take the UNC job, but he would be an outstanding hire. Texas Tech had a top-5 offense last year and hasn’t finished below No. 27 in offensive efficiency in the coach’s three seasons in Lubbock. He’s a fantastic tournament coach with a good eye for talent.
Todd Golden, Florida
Golden won a national championship at Florida in 2025. Would he really bolt for UNC? I’m skeptical. The administration in Gainesville has always supported him. He deserves a mention as a top candidate for any prestigious job opening, but I can’t see him leaving.
Jerry Stackhouse, Warriors assistant
This would be settling for someone in the Carolina family. Stackhouse has long had a reputation as a sharp coach, but he did make the NCAA tournament in his five seasons at Vanderbilt before Byington immediately turned it around. Stackhouse was a legendary player at North Carolina, but this job feels a little too big for him right now.
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