North Carolina’s first-round exit in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament could cost coach Hubert Davis one of the most coveted jobs in the sport.
Carolina officials are having talks with Davis about his future in Chapel Hill after the No. 6-seeded Tar Heels blew a double-digit lead en route to an upset loss to No. 11 VCU on Thursday, ESPN reported. After the ESPN report surfaced, school officials said ‘all facets’ of the program will be reviewed.
‘Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve,’ North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement.
Cunningham is working with UNC chancellor Lee Roberts and executive associate AD Steve Newmark, his successor, to determine the future of the celebrated Tar Heels men’s basketball program.
‘The chancellor, Steve and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days,’ Cunningham said.
ESPN also reported that Davis held a team meeting after the defeat but did not reveal anything about his future with the program.
Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half against the VCU Rams
Michael Jordan remains the most celebrated player in North Carolina basketball history
A former Tar Heels player and just the fourth coach at UNC since the legendary Dean Smith’s retirement in 1997, Davis replaced national championship-winner Roy Williams in 2021.
But although he led the Tar Heels to an unexpected NCAA title game appearance in his first season after Williams’ retirement, Davis has struggled in the last four seasons. Over that time, the Tar Heels have just three tournament wins.
The biggest disappointment came in 2023 when UNC became the first pre-season No. 1 to fail to reach the NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels were thought to be improved this year after landing NBA prospect Caleb Wilson and beating fellow NCAA bluebloods like Kansas and Kentucky earlier in the season.
The legendary Dean Smith has a word with Rasheed Wallace during the 1995 season
But Wilson suffered a broken hand against Miami and later a broken thumb in a non-contact drill, ultimately costing him his season.
The Tar Heels would not win again in 2026, falling to Duke, Clemson and, on Thursday, VCU.
UNC would owe Davis $5 million per year through the 2029-30 campaign if officials decide to fire the head coach, according to The Associated Press.
The legendary program that produced NBA icons like Michael Jordan and James Worthy, North Carolina has won six national championships and reached 21 Final Fours.
And with an NIL budget reported to be more than $14 million, not to mention financial support from Nike, the Tar Heels head-coaching job remains one of the most coveted positions in basketball.
