Reports link UNC search to Billy Donovan, Michael Malone

Field Level Media
06 Apr 2026, 23:49 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)

Conflicting reports have linked North Carolina's coaching search to Billy Donovan and Michael Malone.

The Field of 68 reported Sunday that the Tar Heels were focused 'solely' on Donovan, the current Chicago Bulls coach who led Florida to back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.

ESPN reported Monday, however, that North Carolina intends to hire Malone, who won an NBA championship in 2025 with the Denver Nuggets but has never been a collegiate head coach.

Donovan, 60, has been coaching in the NBA since compiling a 467-186 record with the Gators from 1996-2015.

He is 224-253 with the Bulls (29-48 this season) after going 243-157 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20).

Malone, 54, has been working as a studio analyst for ABC/ESPN this season after being fired by the Nuggets on April 8, 2025.

He owns a career record of 510-394 as the head coach of Denver (2015-25) and the Sacramento Kings (2013-14). He was previously an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.

Malone was an assistant coach in the college ranks at Manhattan (1999-2001), Providence (1995-98) and Oakland (1994-95).

North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis after last month's first-round loss to VCU in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan coach Dusty May and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd are among the potential candidates who have decided to remain at their current posts.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Denver Sun.

More Information

International

Section

War reignites unrest in Bahrain, government cracks down on dissent

MANAMA, Bahrain: A man detained in Bahrain last month as the island kingdom came under missile attack from Iran vanished for days,...

Falling cherry trees spark safety fears in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan: The collapse of aging cherry blossom trees in Tokyo has raised safety concerns during Japan's peak hanami season, even...

Missing airman in Iran rescued, Trump announces

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. military forces have successfully executed two separate, high-risk...

EU states urge windfall tax as fuel prices surge

BERLIN, Germany: Five European Union countries have urged Brussels to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies, arguing that firms...

Hunt on for missing crew member following downing of U.S. F-15s

WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a dramatic escalation of the war that began nearly five weeks ago, Iran brought down two U.S. military planes...

Iran detains leading Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

BEIRUT, Lebanon: Iranian intelligence agents have detained leading Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh at her house in Tehran,...

Colorado

Section