Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd is not going to UNC per CBS Sports. Arizona is a top-notch basketball program if not quite a Blue-Blood, but you can win there, and win big. The Wildcats may win the national title this year.
Hubert Davis won nearly 70% of his games, went to a national title game and a Sweet 16, and he was let go. While the firing of Davis was understandable, it creates tremendous pressure on any next coach to win and win big. UNC will find a top candidate, and it is still a premier coaching position. W
Who is next on UNC’s list?
A USAToday article by Blake Toppmeyer looks at who UNC might be eyeing.
Michigan’s Dusty May and Chicago Bulls GM Billy Donovan are next would be HomeRun hires, but I just can’t see either ending up at UNC.
Now Mark Byington of Vanderbilt looks more realistic. From Toppmeyer’s piece.
? He’s from Virginia, and he played at UNC-Wilmington, so he knows the terrain.
? He’s been an assistant inside the ACC, so he knows the conference.
? He was a smashing success at James Madison, and he rectified Vanderbilt’s program.
? His career keeps trending up.
Iowa’s Ben McCollum name comes up, but with just 1 year of head coaching experience at the P4 level, I think UNC would want someone with more experience. There is Alabama’s Nate Oats. Oats is a winner, but he comes with baggage. Tobacco Road neighbor NC State hired baggage-filled coach Will Wade, and got burned by it.
Grant McCasland of Texas Tech is another name to consider. He’s had three strong years in the rugged Big 12, winning over 70% of his games. I think he could on the short list.
Byington would be my odds-on favorite to end up with the position, and then McCasland second.
