Over the last five years, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd has ushered in an era of excellence that they haven't enjoyed since the Lute Olson era. But with his team just two wins away from a national title, there are questions if he'll stay at Arizona beyond this weekend.
Ahead of Arizona's Final Four tilt with Michigan this Saturday, multiple outlets and insiders have openly discussed the options for Lloyd and whether he might consider accepting the newly-opened North Carolina coaching job. Lloyd has no prior ties to UNC would likely receive a hero's welcome and a hefty salary bump.
But college basketball insider Michael DeCourcy believes that the speculation is all pointless. Taking to X on Wednesday, DeCourcy bluntly asserted that Lloyd is not leaving Arizona (though he didn't cite any sources in support of that statement).
"He’s not leaving Arizona," DeCourcy wrote.
Staying or Leaving?
There really isn't much of a reason for Lloyd to leave Arizona for Chapel Hill right now anyway. He has far less pressure in Arizona and he's making about as much money as former UNC head coach Hubert Davis was.
Factor in Lloyd's connections being in the western U.S. as opposed to the eastern U.S. and a move to UNC would represent a massive shift away from what he's comfortable with.
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Lloyd himself has stated that he's solely focused on Arizona and is not even considering the "distraction" of talking to other teams.
"Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing, nothing, I promise you NOTHING, is knocking me off that path. You might call them 'distractions,' but it's cause you're distracted. That doesn't mean I'm distracted," Lloyd said this past week.
Nevertheless, the speculation probably won't cease until North Carolina name their next head coach.
