Five UNC basketball coaching candidates to replace Hubert Davis

Hubert Davis was fired as the North Carolina men's basketball coach on Tuesday night. The UNC alum took over at Chapel Hill for five seasons and exited after the team fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Roy Williams’s handpicked successor for UNC had one of the best debut seasons in recent years. A trip to the national title game and a win over Duke in Mike Krzyzewski’s final game in 2022 were both signature moments. But the low points started to kick in and the team didn't make the tourney in 2023. Much of this season Davis was trying to save his job. Once star Caleb Wilson was ruled out for the season, the collapse wasn't far behind. 

Davis is now out, but who's next? The UNC job is regarded as one of the best in the sport because of what Dean Smith and Williams carried over the course of decades. However, this will likely be the first point in five decades a non-Tar Heel candidate will be named the next head coach. This means a bigger national pool and don't be shocked if there are a few names who have teams in the tournament and are rumored for the job. 

Will the Tar Heels be able to find the long-term answer? Here are six names to watch for in the process. 

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

Otzelberger is underrated and is ready to be shipped out. With a $4 million buyout, he's a very serious option to be plucked from Iowa State and start over in Chapel Hill. Otzelberger had done an incredible job building a top-tier program with a defensive core. Time will tell if he's the guy in the running or not. 

More: Hubert Davis releases statement after UNC firing

Todd Golden, Florida

Golden is an easy target. The Gators are coming off a national championship win last year and won't repeat following a second round loss. He's a true players' coach and ready to lead the next generation. This would be a solid addition for the Tar Heels. However, Florida would be owed a $16 million buyout before April 15. This is on top of what's owed to Golden and this staff. 

Dusty May, Michigan

May seems set with the Wolverines, but could he be eyeing a jump while the job is open? He's clearly building an outstanding program in Ann Arbor. But it would be too good to pass up, if he was offered. UNC is a basketball factory and needs the next Willy Wonka to work his magic. May could have the right touch to make it his next success story. It would cost UNC $7.5 million to pry him from Michigan.  

Josh Schertz, Saint Louis

Schertz has already committed to Saint Louis, but it doesn't hurt to interview. A longtime winner who's ready for a major opportunity. That's Schertz's situation right now. He might want to stay in The Lou. However, he'll outgrow the program and be in search of a Power school. Why not UNC?  

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

Lloyd has a good background and turned Arizona into a threat for the title. A longtime assistant under Gonzaga's Mark Few, Lloyd has proven his worth and would be an interesting hire. The Wildcats are still running in the tourney and are a favorite to take home a title. Lloyd feels more realistic than some other candidates, which says a lot about the state of college basketball. His buyout is currently $11 million. 

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