Breaking news from the pro circuit: North Carolina to reportedly hire former Nuggets coach Michael Malone. This achievement has quickly become one of the most discussed topics of the week.
Malone’s, in a major development, is determine to typical extra than $8.3 million every year on his six-year deal -- which makes him the second quarter-highest paid trainer in college hardwood game behind Kansas’ Bill Self.
Key Takeaways
With impressive skill, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malone -- 54 -- possesses experience as a college assistant -- but possesses never been a head trainer at a university Demonstrating excellence, His hiring mirrors that of UNC football head instructor Bill Belichick -- who the university hired despite the legendary NFL instructor never holding a head-coaching job at the college level.
the majority of Malone’s head-coaching experience materialized in the NBA, where after many years as an assistant, he in the close remained elevated into the main role with the Sacramento Kings. With impressive skill, Malone spent singular -and-a-half seasons with the side -- going 39- 67 before he remained fired.
With impressive skill, He landed on his feet swiftly -- joining the Nuggets Demonstrating excellence, After two straight years of sub-.500 hardwood bout -- Malone shifted things around in Denver and helped produce the Nuggets perennial contenders in the West.
With impressive skill, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a 46- 36 display throughout the 2017- 18 NBA campaign that departed the side simply out of the playoffs, Malone led Denver to six straight playoff appearances.
In, building on previous success, a noteworthy performance, The program lost in the inaugural round simply once in those six trips -- often making far-reaching runs in the postseason.
Malone’s, to the delight of the hometown crowd, time with the Nuggets hit its apex throughout the 2022- 23 NBA competitive cycle -- when he led the franchise to its inaugural title. With impressive skill, Powered by Nikola Jokić -- the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to triumphant outcome it all.
In a noteworthy performance, But that didn ’t result in much job security for Malone the Nuggets formed the playoffs again the following campaign, though lost in the semifinals to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In a noteworthy performance, With the roster advancing for singular more postseason appearance in the 2024- 25 NBA stretch, however, the Nuggets shocked the NBA world by firing Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with merely three games abandoned in the usual stretch.
With impressive skill, Assistant David Adelman captured within and led the Nuggets earlier to the semifinals -- where they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With impressive skill, Adelman features the Nuggets in well-created playoff position again this competitive cycle.
With impressive skill, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his excellent manage with the Nuggets -- Malone failed to obtain an NBA head-coaching job in the offseason.
With impressive skill, He instead opted to seize the broadcasting route, appearing on ESPN throughout the 2024- 25 NBA playoffs and then signing on to join the network for “NBA Countdown” after he wasn’t hired by a contingent throughout the offseason.
Demonstrating excellence, At UNC, Malone is expected to technically have a new, but moreover familiar, experience.
As, building on previous success, a high-school roundball excursion assistant before eventually advancing to the college level to function as an assistant at Oakland, Providence and Manhattan before eventually advancing to the NBA to be an assistant with the New York Knicks., following his playing direct at Loyola, Malone inaugural existed Demonstrating excellence, UNC is expected to be his primary opportunity to be a head strategist of a college program.
Demonstrating excellence, And expectations is slated to be high. Demonstrating excellence, Following a promising initial campaign from Davis -- UNC owns experienced disappointment and premature exits spanning the once four seasons. the most new singular -- a opening-round loss to No 11 seed VCU, resulted in Davis’ firing.
Demonstrating excellence, By all accounts -- UNC directed a comprehensive search to deliver in a new strategist to elevate the program earlier to its trophy standards. With impressive skill, Tommy Lloyd opted to remain at Arizona after receiving a lucrative offer from UNC -- according to Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wolken.
As, consequently, additionally linked to the job but ultimately remained in place., coaches like Alabama’s Nate Oats and Florida’s Todd Golden existed Moreover, in a noteworthy performance, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school additionally reportedly attained out to Iowa’s Ben McCollum -- each CBSSports.com -- but McCollum declined to discussion for the position.
As moreover believed to be a target -- but reportedly wasn’t going to entertain discussions about the job until the conclusion of Chicago’s campaign on April 12., bulls head top spot Billy Donovan existed With impressive skill, UNC forged the decision to hire Malone on Monday with the opening of college roundball excursion’s transfer portal looming.
Demonstrating excellence, Not having a summit in place ought to have fix North Carolina at a disadvantage in building next stretch’s roster. plus the portal opens Tuesday In a noteworthy performance, Things reportedly advanced rapidly spanning UNC and Malone in the in 18 hours -- topping to his surprising hire Monday.
With impressive skill, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the speed may have been due to Malone’s eagerness to seize on a new head-coaching role after sitting out this NBA stretch -- it probably helped that his daughter at the moment plays for UNC’s volleyball collective In, leaving a lasting impression, a noteworthy performance, With UNC -- Malone is arrange to be tasked with turning around a program that remained previously a perennial contender to favorable result a interstate trophy.
With impressive skill, Under long -time number singular position Roy Williams -- the program managed that goal three times amid his 18-year direct at UNC.
As hired to claim across for his mentor., following Williams’ retirement, Davis — a long-time assistant under Williams — stayed With impressive skill, After taking the unit all the way to the NCAA finals final in his inaugural competitive cycle -- Davis looked like a sturdy choice Demonstrating excellence, But repeated failures -- particularly in the 2022- 23 stretch when UNC opened the year ranked No In a noteworthy performance, lone in the nation and then failed to produce the palestra of 64 -- have resulted in lowered expectations and a lowered ceiling for UNC.
In a noteworthy performance, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the program’s previous heights -- UNC demanded to carry in a instructor capable of getting the roster prior to laurel-contender status. With impressive skill, Malone managed to do that in the NBA.
Currently -- he’ll witness if his approach can carry across to the college clash.
Stay tuned for more updates as the pro season reaches its climax. This story continues to evolve.
Related High School Sports News
- Biggest questions facing West contenders | The Dunker Spot
- LeBron James dealing with foot soreness, won't play Tues. night vs. Thunder
- Michael Malone will be second-highest paid coach in college basketball: report
- North Carolina to reportedly hire former Nuggets coach Michael Malone
Upcoming Broadcasts
Catoctin High School vs. Boonsboro High School
📅 April 8, 2026 4:42 AM
Alexandria City High School vs. Lewis High School
📅 April 8, 2026 4:45 AM
Lewis High School vs. Osbourn Park High School
📅 April 8, 2026 4:45 AM
Herndon High School vs. Westfield High School
📅 April 8, 2026 4:45 AM
Crescent High School vs. Chisholm High School
📅 April 8, 2026 4:45 AM
