Sources: UNC to hire Malone as new hoops coach

UNC intends to hire Michael Malone as its next basketball coach. Sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the former NBA coach is the school’s choice to replace Hubert Davis.

Michael Malone spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. He also led Denver to its first and only NBA championship in 2023.

UNC fired Hubert Davis after the Tar Heels lost to VCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The loss came last month, prompting the coaching change.

Michael Malone was fired by the Nuggets last April. He later joined ESPN as an analyst just over a month after being dismissed.

The article says UNC intends to hire Michael Malone, which indicates the move was reported by sources rather than formally announced in the story. It describes him as the school's next basketball coach, but does not include an official UNC statement.