It was certainly big news down in Chapel Hill with the recent news surrounding Hubert Davis, and now North Carolina will be searching for a new head coach to lead the charge. Many believe this will be outside the Carolina tree, something I truly believe is necessary in the world of college basketball today. We put together a list of coaches that I believe should be getting the calls and looks, and include a big-time wild card coach.
Todd Golden (Florida)
Golden would be one high on the list, as he has quickly proven himself as a coach in leading Florida to a national championship and the No. 1 seed this season. He understands the transfer portal and is young as a head coach, having gotten the most out of his talent. But would he leave Florida with all the success?
Dusty May (Michigan)
What a rise it has been for May, but he has been putting his winning ways on full display at FAU and now Michigan. Just 49 years old, May has proven himself as a capable coach to lead a program like UNC, bringing a competitive nature to the table. But he would be another one to ask if he would step away from a great situation.
Mark Byington (Vanderbilt)
Byington may not be the highest name on the list, but he has proven himself in creating winning programs, including his latest stop at Vanderbilt, where it is really hard to do just that. The question with him and UNC fans is if he would be the big splash hire they would be looking for?
Nate Oats (Alabama)
Oats has always been a name circling North Carolina in the last year or so, and he has proven to win at a high level, taking Alabama far into the tournament while understanding what it takes to get big-time recruits. However, there have been other questions outside that that could have the higher-ups move past him.
Tommy Lloyd (Arizona)
Lloyd has been big at Arizona, and he has the Wildcats in the hunt for another title this season. He has been impressive in racking up the wins, understanding how to operate the portal well as well as securing big recruits. He has a style that UNC fans would like and knows what it takes to win at a high level.
TJ Otzelberger (Iowa State)
Otzelberger is another interesting coach to keep an eye on, as he has turned around Iowa State into a very strong program. Even with what Iowa State has to offer, he has been able to rack up the wins, bringing an intriguing style of play that would be fun to watch in Chapel Hill.
Billy Donovan (Bulls)
Donovan has been a name popping up more and more; his resume is all there, and we know what he was able to do at Florida. And it will be interesting to see what happens with his future with Chicago after this season. The one thing that could be an issue is that he is 60, and UNC could be back in the same seat not long down the road.
Jai Lucas (Miami)
This is my true wild card… Yes, Lucas is 37 years old. Yes, he sat on the bench at Duke. But Lucas is one that I believe is a star in the making, as he turned around Miami in just one season, and he understands what it takes to secure premier talents like Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer, and so many others. He knows how to relate to these players and think he is just starting his career as one of the top coaches in the country. Again, this is a HUGE wild card and I really don’t think it will happen. But let’s put it this way, if Golden heads to UNC I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida makes a call right down the road to this rising star.