Hubert Davis’ Exit from UNC Men’s Basketball
Hubert Davis’ time as the head coach of North Carolina’s men’s basketball team has come to an unexpected end, just two years after he took over.
The 55-year-old will not be returning following another first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament, which marks the second year in a row this has happened. This news was confirmed by the school on Tuesday evening.
While ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Davis was fired, this detail wasn’t included in the university’s announcement.
“We appreciate everything Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach, and community leader,” Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham shared. “He helped create memorable moments for us. This decision wasn’t easy considering Hubert’s wonderful character and all he has contributed. However, we need to move forward to ensure our team competes at a higher level consistently.”
Davis expressed hope to return to coaching “in the near future.” In his statement, he said, “Tonight, I was fired from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I wanted to keep coaching here and truly appreciate this opportunity. I thank Jesus daily for the relationships and experiences I’ve had with the kids and staff. I’m proud of what we accomplished.”
The No. 6 seed Tar Heels fell to No. 11 seed VCU on Thursday, after a disappointing loss to Ole Miss last year as an 11th seed.
In Thursday’s game, North Carolina had established a 14-point lead with just under eight minutes remaining but ultimately lost 82-78 in overtime.
Davis, who once played for the Knicks and Nets and was a first-round draft pick, still has about $5.3 million guaranteed left on his contract, according to reports.
Starting as head coach in 2021 after Roy Williams’ retirement, he guided UNC to the national championship game, where they narrowly lost to Kansas as an 8th seed.
The team missed the NCAA Tournament in 2023, but the following year they reached the Sweet 16, where they were defeated by No. 4 Alabama while being a No. 1 seed. That year, he was honored as the ACC Coach of the Year.
This season, the Tar Heels secured a fourth-place finish in the ACC, falling to Clemson in the quarterfinals.
In total, Davis wrapped up his five-year coaching career at UNC with a record of 125-54.
