Tommy Lloyd Stays at Arizona
INDIANAPOLIS – Tommy Lloyd has decided to remain with the Arizona Wildcats, putting an end to speculation about a possible move to North Carolina. The coach and the university reached an agreement for a five-year contract extension. Lloyd shared this news with the media just before the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“I’m glad to confirm that I’m staying in Arizona,” Lloyd stated. “We’ve accomplished some important things recently.”
Despite North Carolina showing interest and reportedly offering a competitive salary, Lloyd chose to stay put. Reportedly, Lloyd’s base salary averages around $7.5 million, and he previously opted not to comment on the rumors, focusing instead on his aim of leading the Wildcats to a national championship.
“I didn’t want to overshadow the Final Four, but it’s also important for you to know that North Carolina is a remarkable program,” Lloyd mentioned, reflecting on his background as a longtime assistant at Gonzaga with a distinguished record of 148-35 in his first five seasons at Arizona. “It’s an honor just to be considered for that role.”
He added remarks about North Carolina State, thanking them while clarifying, “The call from Michael Jordan, well, that never happened, so let’s just move on from that.”
Interestingly enough, part of the new contract specifies that Lloyd will report directly to the school principal, Suresh Garimella, rather than the athletic director, Desiree Reed-Francois. There appears to have been some tension between Lloyd and Reed-Francois.
Lloyd, 51, expressed his commitment, stating, “I’ve made a choice. My Michael Jordan is Steve Kerr, and I’m excited to be an Arizona Wildcat.”
On another note, Bryce James, LeBron James’ youngest son, is currently redshirting for Arizona this season. Lloyd sees a lot of promise in the 6-foot-5 guard, saying, “I observed him practice yesterday, and it struck me how much he has progressed. Maybe he doesn’t even realize just how far he’s come in the last several months.” He noted changes in James’s physique and a noticeable sharpening of his fundamental skills. “I can’t wait to get back into the gym after the season to help him make another big leap,” Lloyd added.
