Michael Malone revealed desire to continue coaching back in October

The UNC men's basketball team continues to collect national headlines. This time, it's for good reason, as North Carolina hired Michael Malone to be its next head coach on Monday afternoon.

Malone spent 12 seasons as an NBA head coach, highlighted by his final 10 years with the Denver Nuggets. Malone led Denver to the 2023 NBA Championship, numerous playoff series victories and back to being a Western Conference competitor.

In an October appearance on ESPN's "Inside the NBA" studio show, Malone told former Tar Heel Kenny Smith he wanted to coach. Did this foreshadow Malone to UNC?

"The most important thing that I miss is being part of something much bigger than myself," Malone said. "Being in that locker room with the players, being with the coaching staff, celebrating a big win. I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my dogs. But I do miss being part of that team camaraderie, locker room atmosphere. And I’m looking forward to getting back to that. I’m definitely not done coaching, coaching is in my blood. I got that from my father – and I’m excited to get back coaching on those sidelines and teaching once again.”

The Nuggets made a questionable decision to fire Malone in April 2025, just as the NBA Postseason approached. Sure, Denver was in a slide, but that's the equivalent of firing Roy Williams during a successful, winning season.

Tar Heel Nation didn't expect the Malone hire, but is glad to have a proven winner on board. Coaching a collegiate team is vastly different from the NBA, but Malone is a player's coach, so there won't be much of a learning curve.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Michael Malone hinted at future plans