North Carolina basketball is moving on from Hubert Davis.
The Tar Heels made the decision to part ways with its coach after five seasons at his alma mater, a move that will have major ramifications on the college basketball world. There was belief a move could happen after North Carolina had a stunning first round exit in the NCAA Tournament, losing after it had a 19-point lead over VCU for the largest comeback first-round win.
Advertisement
Still, Davis was relatively successful, including a national championship game appearance in his first season. So why did North Carolina decide it was time for a new coach?
UNC basketball coach candidates: Who will replace Hubert Davis? Expect big names linked
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Why did North Carolina fire Hubert Davis?
North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham and executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark, the soon-to-be athletic director, made the decision to part ways with Davis.
“We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,” Cunningham said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”
Advertisement
The key verbiage is “compete more consistently at an elite level,” as the Tar Heels have fallen short of their massive expectations.
After falling just short of winning the national title in 2022, the Tar Heels started the following season the No. 1 team in the country, only to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. After making the Sweet 16 in 2024, North Carolina had first round exits in each of the past two tournaments, the first time that’s happened in program history. Last winning a national title in 2017, the nine seasons since a championship is the longest championship drought in the 21st century.
In Davis’ tenure, he went 125–54 in five seasons, one Final Four appearance and one ACC regular season championship.
Hubert Davis buyout
North Carolina said it will honor the terms of Davis’ contract, meaning he will get his buyout. According to Davis’ contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, North Carolina owes Davis $5.312 million if he is fired on April 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hubert Davis fired: Why did UNC basketball make coaching change?
