How’s The New Guy Doing At UNC?

TL;DR

Mike Malone has recently taken over as head coach at UNC and is performing well so far. He has hired experienced college assistants Chuck Martin and Kim English to support his transition.

Key points

Mike Malone is the new head coach at UNC.
He has been in the role for a few days.
Malone has hired experienced college assistants.
Chuck Martin was a key assistant at Arkansas.
Kim English was the head coach at Providence.

Mentioned in this story

Mike MaloneChuck MartinKim EnglishUNCArkansasProvidence

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets cheers after a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mike Malone has only had the job for a few days, but so far, he seems to be doing reasonably well.

The smartest thing he’s done has been to hire experienced college personnel. Malone was by all accounts a superior NBA coach, but there are real differences between the two levels of the sport. He wouldn’t be the first guy to go from the NBA to college, only to fail.

He has lured Chuck Martin, a key assistant at Arkansas, and Kim English, who was until recently the head coach at Providence, to help in Chapel Hill.

Martin is an outstanding recruiter who helped Calipari build great classes at Kentucky and then Arkansas. He and English will give him two guys who can advise him on the finer points of college basketball.

He also retained Hubert Davis assistants Sean May, Pat Sullivan, and staffer Eric Hoots.

UNC has lost seven players to the portal. James Brown didn’t really play much. We saw at least one post where a UNC fan expressed relief that Zayden High was gone, presumably relating to his suspension last season after allegedly filming a sexual encounter with a fellow student without her permission.

Q&A

What is Mike Malone's background before coaching at UNC?

Mike Malone was previously a successful NBA coach before transitioning to college basketball at UNC.

Who are the key assistants that Mike Malone hired at UNC?

Mike Malone hired Chuck Martin, a former key assistant at Arkansas, and Kim English, the former head coach at Providence.

How long has Mike Malone been the head coach at UNC?

Mike Malone has only been the head coach at UNC for a few days.

What challenges might Mike Malone face transitioning from the NBA to college basketball?

Malone may face challenges due to the significant differences in coaching styles and player dynamics between the NBA and college basketball.