North Carolina basketball has acquired a replacement for Hubert Davis.
After five seasons at his alma mater, the Tar Heels have decided to part ways with their coach, a decision that will have major implications for the college basketball world. It was believed a transfer could happen after the University of North Carolina suffered a stunning first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, losing to VCU by 19 points in the biggest upset of the first round.
Still, Davis had relative success, including an appearance in the national championship game in his first season. So why did North Carolina decide it was time to hire a new coach?
Why did North Carolina waive Hubert Davis?
NC State athletic director Bubba Cunningham and executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark, who will soon become athletic director, have decided to part ways with Davis.
“We are grateful for everything Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader. He helped create special memories that we will never forget,” Cunningham said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision given Hubert’s great personality and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward to help our team compete more consistently at an elite level.”
The Tar Heels have fallen short of lofty expectations, so the key phrase is “competing more consistently at an elite level.”
The Tar Heels, who fell just short of winning a national title in 2022, started the following season as the No. 1 team in the nation but missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. After reaching the Sweet 16 in 2024, North Carolina has lost in the first round in each of its past two tournaments, the first time in program history. They last won a national title in 2017, and the nine seasons since then have been the longest championship drought in the 21st century.
During Davis’ tenure, the team posted a 125-54 record in five seasons, one Final Four appearance, and one ACC regular season championship. He later confirmed that he had been released.
“Tonight, I was fired by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My hope was to continue coaching here, and this opportunity was truly a blessing,” Davis said in a statement.
Acquisition of Hubert Davis
North Carolina announced that it would honor the terms of Davis’ contract, meaning he would be acquired. According to Davis’ contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network, North Carolina State would be obligated to pay Davis $5.312 million if he is fired on April 1.
