Report: North Carolina to hire Michael Malone as next coach

North Carolina is expected to hire longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as its next head coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Malone, 54, brings significant NBA experience to the college ranks, including a championship with the Nuggets in 2023. He has compiled 510 career wins as an NBA head coach across stints with Denver and Sacramento.

The move comes after Malone spent the past year transitioning into media work following his firing from the Nuggets late last season. He joined ESPN as an analyst on NBA Countdown, appearing during the playoffs and into the 2025-26 season.

Prior to that, Malone had been linked to multiple NBA openings, but did not return to the sidelines.

Now, he’ll take over one of college basketball’s premier programs, marking his first head coaching role at the collegiate level.

Malone also has an extensive background as an NBA assistant, with stops in New York, Cleveland, New Orleans and Golden State before landing his first head coaching job.

The Tar Heels were also said to be considering Bulls coach Billy Donovan for their vacancy, created following the dismissal of Hubert Davis several weeks ago.