Despite his championship experience, legendary Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski isn’t overly concerned about Michael Malone, who’s reportedly set to take over as coach of the UNC Tar Heels after Hubert Davis’s exit. Historically, Krzyzewski’s main competitor has been UNC, and during a recent chat on the Pat McAfee Show, he mentioned Bill Belichick when discussing Malone’s hiring.
“They’ve got an NFL champion as their coach, and Duke beat Carolina in football this year,” Krzyzewski quipped. “That doesn’t mean Belichick isn’t a great coach, but transitioning from pros to college takes time.”
Interestingly, Belichick experienced this firsthand after the Tar Heels faced Duke last season. While Duke compiled a respectable record of 9 wins and 5 losses, UNC struggled, finishing with only 4 wins and 8 losses in the ACC.
As Krzyzewski pointed out, even Duke faced challenges early on, losing to Belichick’s UNC team in their first outing, 32-25. The landscape of college basketball has shifted dramatically now, though, with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals allowing programs to become financially alluring, competing for top talent.
As this dynamic continues, it seems that Belichick and his crew will need to get creative—and possibly spend a bit more. Still, it’s important to note that basketball holds the crown in Chapel Hill. Krzyzewski knows this well, as his Blue Devils frequently battled the Tar Heels, vying not just for local bragging rights but also for national supremacy.
Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets for a decade and claimed an NBA title in 2023, was dismissed in April 2025, quickly transitioning to a media role at ESPN. Following UNC’s disappointing exit in the NCAA tournament, they’ve taken a page from other football programs that are opting for coaches with impressive pro backgrounds, despite lacking college experience.
Before hitting the NBA scene, Malone had various assistant roles, ultimately leading to his first head coaching stint with the Kings and later solidifying his position in Denver.
Krzyzewski commented on Malone’s new chapter: “Mike is a great coach and a great guy. There’s a learning curve. For various reasons, coaching dynamics are shifting. They’ve got two professional coaches now, and I think that’s the direction everyone should explore. Malone knows how to navigate this, just like Coach Belichick does. Perhaps this points to an organic evolution.”
Malone is likely hoping for a smoother debut season at UNC than Belichick had at Carolina, but Belichick will surely be back this football season to turn the tide.
