3 Coaches Are Emerging As Frontunners For The UNC Job

North Carolina hasn't hired a men's basketball coach just yet, but there are three intriguing options at the school's disposal. Shortly after North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis, reporters mentioned Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan as a candidate for the job in Chapel Hill. Prior to ...

by Chris Rosvoglou

Mar 31, 2026

Billy Donovan on the sideline.

North Carolina hasn't hired a men's basketball coach just yet, but there are three intriguing options at the school's disposal.

Shortly after North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis, reporters mentioned Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan as a candidate for the job in Chapel Hill. Prior to taking his talents to the NBA, he won two national championships and six regular-season SEC titles while at Florida.

Donovan has already been asked about the North Carolina job this month. He's tried his best to defuse the rumors since the Bulls aren't done with their season yet.

"Over the years, I've had a lot of college guys reach out to talk to me," Donovan said, via USA Today. "It's different in dealing with players who are being paid now. I also think the cycle of the NBA today is totally different than the cycle of college. I'm focused on what I have to do right now. Like anything else, things are always changing in the game of basketball."

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis yells down court Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
© Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images&period;

Who else is in the running for UNC?

Michigan's Dusty May has emerged as a candidate for North Carolina. He already has the Wolverines in the Final Four in just his second season in Ann Arbor. On Saturday night, he'll try to lead his squad to a victory over Arizona.

Interestingly enough, May's next opponent is also a top candidate for North Carolina. There's been plenty of smoke surrounding Tommy Lloyd and the Tar Heels over the past week.

Lloyd added fuel to the fire last Saturday night when he discussed the future of the Arizona men's basketball team.

“You know, the sun may be shining on this team and me coaching it right now, but when it’s shining on you, you got to fight to protect it and build it,” Lloyd told reporters. “So that’s what I feel like my number one responsibility is, to fight to protect the program and fight to build it for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me, because you know what, Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you. The place is special.”

Maybe, just maybe, Lloyd is interested in coaching the program that Dean Smith made famous.

While we doubt Arizona and Michigan's boosters will want to lose a bidding war with North Carolina, we can't rule out anything right now.