Michael Malone Reportedly Hired By North Carolina

North Carolina plans to hire former Nuggets coach Michael Malone as its next head coach, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports. Malone spent 10 seasons in Denver, went 471-327, made six straight playoffs, and won the 2023 NBA title. He was fired in April 2025 and has worked as an ESPN analyst since. The Tar Heels moved on from Hubert Davis after a March 24 loss to VCU. Tommy Lloyd stayed at Arizona, Dusty May withdrew, and Billy Donovan wanted to finish the Bulls’ regular season, which ends April 12. Now Malone gets a totally different job: turning UNC back into a title threat.