The University of North Carolina (UNC) has fired men's basketball head coach Hubert Davis following the team's stunning first-round NCAA Tournament loss to VCU. The decision, announced Tuesday, came after a recommendation from athletic director Bubba Cunningham and executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark, who will take over the AD role on July 1. Chancellor Lee Roberts accepted the recommendation.
Davis, who took over for Roy Williams in 2021, leaves with a 125-54 record, including four NCAA Tournament appearances and a national title game appearance in his first season. The Tar Heels' collapse against VCU—where they squandered a 19-point lead—marked their second consecutive first-round exit, a first in program history.
UNC is now searching for a successor, with multiple high-profile candidates emerging. St. John's head coach Rick Pitino publicly endorsed Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger, citing his small buyout and strong coaching record. Meanwhile, reports suggest UNC is targeting former Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and current Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, though Stevens has reportedly removed himself from consideration. Donovan, a former NCAA champion at Florida, is reportedly open to discussions.
Davis released a statement thanking the university and expressing pride in his tenure. Star player Caleb Wilson also praised Davis on social media, calling him one of the best coaches in his life. The program now faces pressure to return to elite competition, with donors and fans expecting a high-caliber replacement.