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Sun Mar 29 00:40:00 UTC 2026: ### North Carolina Coaching Search Begins as Brad Stevens Declines Offer
The Story:
Just hours after North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday night, Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, has declined to be considered for the head coaching position. North Carolina’s initial list of candidates included Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May, TJ Otzelberger, and Billy Donovan, but Stevens was considered the top target. While not surprising, Stevens’ decision forces North Carolina to narrow its focus and proceed with its search.
Key Points:
- North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday night.
- Brad Stevens has removed his name from consideration for the UNC head coaching job.
- Other potential candidates include Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May, TJ Otzelberger, and Billy Donovan.
- Outgoing AD Bubba Cunningham and incoming AD Steve Newmark are leading the search.
- Bill Self of Kansas is considering retirement, which could add another high-profile opening.
- The coaching search is expected to take at least a week.
Key Takeaways:
- North Carolina faces a significant coaching vacancy and must move quickly to secure a top candidate.
- Brad Stevens remains committed to his role with the Boston Celtics, despite interest from his alma mater.
- The potential retirement of Bill Self could significantly impact the college basketball coaching landscape.
- The UNC job is highly desirable, but the search will likely be protracted due to ongoing coaching commitments.