After five seasons, the University of North Carolina has fired Hubert Davis. While Davis reached the National Championship game in 2022, the program struggled with consistency in the following years. Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham has indicated that the university is looking for a “modern reset,” signaling that for the first time in decades, UNC is likely to hire a coach from outside the “Carolina Family” lineage.
There is also the financial layer to consider. Davis’ buyout was significant, which makes this a deliberate reset rather than a reactive move. If UNC is willing to absorb that cost, the expectation is a hire that clearly changes the direction of the program, whether that means staying within the Carolina family or finally looking outside it.
UNC Next Coach Odds: Updated Board After Hubert Davis Exit
- Tommy Lloyd +200
- Billy Donovan +550
- Dusty May +700
- Mark Byington +900
- T.J. Otzelberger +1100
- Todd Golden +1400
- Brad Stevens +1400
- Scott Drew +1800
- Sean May +2200
- Jerry Stackhouse +2800
- King Rice +4000
- Marcus Paige +6600
- Kenny Smith +7500
- Dan Hurley +7500
*Odds are for entertainment purposes only
Tommy Lloyd UNC Coaching Rumors Gain Momentum After Non-Denial
Tommy Lloyd on the North Carolina opening 👀
"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about all the time is the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment… I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament. This team deserves my… pic.twitter.com/T26f6O1SuQ
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 25, 2026
Lloyd has moved into the favorite role because he represents the cleanest basketball solution. He has built Arizona into a consistent winner, recruits at a high level, and runs a system that translates in March. There is very little projection required.
What pushed him to the top is how he handled the question publicly. When asked about the UNC opening during tournament media availability, Lloyd focused on Arizona and called it one of the best jobs in the country, but he did not shut the door. He avoided a direct denial, which is often the key detail in situations like this. Coaches who are not interested usually make that clear immediately.
That response keeps him firmly in play and aligns with what UNC appears to be prioritizing. He offers a break from the Carolina coaching tree without feeling like a risk, which is likely why he now sits at the top of the board.
Billy Donovan UNC Interest Adds Championship Pedigree To Search
Donovan sits just behind Lloyd, but for a different reason. He brings the strongest résumé of anyone realistically available, with multiple national titles and years of experience managing a program under pressure. That level of credibility carries weight immediately.
The complication is his current role in the NBA, which adds uncertainty around whether he would make the move back to college. At the same time, that is what makes him appealing. If UNC wants a hire that resets expectations across the sport, Donovan is one of the few names that does that instantly.
His position at +550 reflects that balance. He is credible enough to sit near the top, but not clean enough to take over as the favorite.
Dusty May And Mark Byington Lead Next Tier Of Candidates
Behind the top two, the next tier is built around rising head coaches who have shown they can build and sustain winning programs. Dusty May fits that profile as well as anyone, with a Final Four run on his résumé and a track record of developing talent.
Byington is a quieter name but one that continues to gain traction. He has built programs at multiple stops and is viewed as a strong evaluator with a clear system. He may not generate the same immediate buzz, but he fits the type of hire that often works over time.
Sean May And Carolina Family Candidates Slide Down Board
The most notable shift in this market is what has happened to the traditional Carolina names. Sean May, Jerry Stackhouse, and King Rice all remain on the board, but they have moved down as the search has taken shape.
That does not remove them from consideration, but it does suggest UNC may be more open to change than it has been in previous cycles. Promoting from within or hiring a familiar name would be the safer route, but the early signs point toward something different.
Will UNC Make First Outside Hire In Modern Era
This search now feels like a decision about identity as much as anything else. North Carolina has built its success on continuity, but that same approach has come under scrutiny as the program has struggled to find consistency.
The current board leans toward outside candidates, and that is not accidental. If UNC follows through on that direction, the next hire would represent a clear shift in philosophy. It would be less about maintaining tradition and more about finding the best available coach, regardless of background.
That is what makes this search different. It is not just about replacing Hubert Davis. It is about defining what North Carolina basketball looks like moving forward.
