North Carolina to Hire Former NBA Coach Michael Malone as Next Head Basketball Coach
It is a new dawn in Chapel Hill. A NBA coach is headed to UNC. North Carolina intends to hire former NBA coach Michael Malone as its next head basketball coach. He will be the 20th head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
New UNC coach Michael Malone had a 510-394 record in the NBA, winning 3 Northwest divisions and 1 NBA Title. He was an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, New Orleans Hornets in 2010-11 and Golden State Warriors from 2011-13 before being the head coach for the Kings and Nuggets.
ESPN’s Pete Thames broke the news revealing, “Sources: North Carolina intends to hire longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as the school’s next basketball coach. He’s an NBA Championship coach with the Denver Nuggets from the 2022-23 season and has won 510 games as an NBA head coach.”
The Tar Heels wanted an individual who can help continue their storied legacy. At universities like North Carolina, expectations are HIGH and unrelenting. The program’s six national titles and historic consistency demand results. Therefore, grabbing Malone who has champion experience at the pro level fits the winning criteria and is what the NC doctor ordered. Mike Malone guided the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in franchise history during the 2022–23 season, defeating the Miami Heat in five games. Denver’s playoff run was dominant from start to finish, going 16-4.
Nonetheless, there are Basketball fans that assumed that Mike would find a new job somewhere within the National Basketball Association. Especially, after garnering a title with Denver. Turns out, Michael Malone was indeed a top name in the New Orleans Pelicans coaching search, but he ultimately decided to take the North Carolina job.
North Carolina to Hire Former NBA Coach Michael Malone as Next Head Basketball Coach
However, there were multiple names being tossed in the pot when it came to the North Carolina position. For instance, before pivoting to Mike Malone; UNC had much interest in Iowa’s Ben McCollum. Just days ago it seemed that at least a meeting would be set up. However, things fizzled out and both parties went in different directions. Matt Norlander reported on this particular situation stating,
“UNC is indeed set to hire former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone, source confirmed to CBS Sports. Am told Iowa’s Ben McCollum turned down a chance to interview and the school pivoted to Malone. Things moved FAST in the past 18 hours.
Ben McCollum had contact with UNC last week as the search played out, per sources. UNC was hoping to meet with him in person Sunday for a proper interview but he passed on that invitation to stay at Iowa. Malone’s candidacy picked up speed as others removed their names.”
Malone, 54, has been an NBA coach for the last 25 years. Additionally, Mike Malone’s daughter is a volleyball player at UNC. Lastly, former UNC standout Danny Green discussed the Michael Malone news on ESPN. Green loves this move and decision. He says, “I’m loving this. I had Michael Malone as a rookie at Cleveland. He was a great X’s &O’s offensive juggernaut to me, so this is a great hire. I love the situation for him and for us [UNC]. This is the start of something new.”
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