Michael Malone Takes North Carolina Job

Michael Malone is taking the North Carolina job after more than two decades in the NBA, even though Pete Nakos of On3 reports he was a top target for the Pelicans. Malone last coached in college as a Manhattan assistant in 2001. He coached the Kings from 2013 to 2014, then led Denver from 2015 until he was fired 79 games into last season with the Nuggets at 47-32. Malone won Denver’s first NBA title in 2023 and made the playoffs six times. Now he becomes UNC’s first head coach without ties to the program in 74 years. The Tar Heels wanted a big swing after firing Hubert Davis, and they got an NBA championship coach. New Orleans has one fewer option in its coaching search.