USA TODAY International Edition
North Carolina names Davis as new coach
North Carolina didn’t have to look far to find a replacement for Roy Williams. The school announced hiring assistant Hubert Davis to be its next men’s basketball coach Monday.
Davis, 50, a former Tar Heels player for Dean Smith from 1988 to 1992, served on Williams’ staff for the past nine seasons. He previously worked for ESPN as a college basketball analyst and played in the NBA for six teams during a 12- year career.
He will become the first Black head coach of the program.
“I’m so proud, thankful, humbled and appreciative of being your new men’s basketball coach for the University of North Carolina,” Davis said in a video released on the school’s men’s basketball Twitter account.
In a statement from the school, Davis acknowledged Smith and others.
“I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this program,” Davis said. “I would not be here without coach Dean Smith, coach Bill Guthridge and coach Roy Williams; they taught me so much – and I’m eager to walk their path in my shoes and with my personality.”
Davis was considered the favorite for the job among candidates with North Carolina ties that included UNC Greensboro’s Wes Miller and Vanderbilt’s Jerry Stackhouse. It is Davis’ first head coaching position.
Williams stepped down last week after 18 seasons at the school. His tenure included five trips to the Final Four and three national titles. The Hall of Fame coach also spent 15 seasons at Kansas and led the Jayhawks to four Final Fours.