Chapel Hill, NC — For the first time in more than 70 years, North Carolina turned to an outsider to lead its storied men’s basketball program.

But Michael Malone, a longtime NBA coach now charged with leading the Tar Heels back to national prominence and national titles, felt like a part of the family at Tuesday’s introductory press conference — wearing a Dean E. Smith pin on his lapel, praising former coach Roy Williams who was in the front row and outlining a list of former Tar Heels who helped him develop an appreciation for the school and get the job.

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“I’m not from North Carolina,” said Malone, born and raised in New York. “I didn’t play here. I’m coming from outside of the family to be a new member of the family and we’re excited about that.”

Conversations with Williams helped convince the 54-year-old Malone, who followed his father into basketball coaching and won an NBA title in 2023, that his future wasn’t back in the NBA but instead it was at UNC, which fired alum Hubert Davis two weeks earlier. North Carolina athletics director-in-waiting Steve Newmark, who led the search, sealed the deal with an Easter Sunday trip to Malone’s home in Colorado.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Malone said. “IThis wasn't a situation where I could say no, now is not the right time. This was: This is now or never.”

Malone may be an outsider, but he’d become a regular in Chapel Hill after being fired by the Nuggets late in the 2025 season. His daughter, Bridget, is a member of the Tar Heels’ volleyball team, and Malone and his wife visited often to see her play. 

Through his friendship with assistant coach Pat Sullivan, Malone attended several practices, sat on the floor at Davis’ insistence and even spoke to the team at times. Malone took notes at practices, a curious coach looking to soak up info in his year away from the sidelines.

When Davis was fired with a 125-54 record but a lack of high-level NCAA Tournament success after his first season, Newmark’s first call was to Malone, who insisted he was headed back to the NBA.

“This was the only college job I’d ever consider,” Malone said. “Any other job, I wouldn’t even answer the phone.”

Watch introductory news conference: UNC introduces Michael Malone as its new head basketball coach

The search process

The Tar Heels had a short list, Newmark said, one that included some of the best coaches in the sport – college and professional. UNC negotiated with Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, considered Michigan’s Dusty May and courted Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, among others. 

Despite not landing one of those coaches — May and Donovan have won national titles — Newmark and Chancellor Lee Roberts said the appeal of UNC basketball was strong among those they talked to during the search.

“The heart of college basketball beats here,” Roberts said. “That’s been true for at least 70 years, and we’re going to keep it that way.”

Newmark said Malone was the only coach that he made an offer to. Malone signed a six-year deal worth $50 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in men’s college basketball.

“Steve Newmark led a very thoughtful and comprehensive process,” said Malcolm Turner, the chairman of the UNC board of trustees. “To the Carolina community at large, I think we have an outstanding leader [in Malone].”

Newmark and current athletics director Bubba Cunningham both referenced the national championship banners hanging above the court, suggesting the Tar Heels are looking to add more to their current collection of six NCAA Tournament titles. Former UNC player Larry Brown is the only coach to win both an NCAA title and an NBA championship.

“Our mission,” Roberts said, “... is to make sure the best days of this legendary program lie ahead.”

That task now falls to Malone, who hasn’t coached in college in more than 25 years since he was an assistant at Manhattan in 2001. 

Watch: Can Michael Malone be a better college coach than Hubert Davis?

A new world

Malone’s contract calls for North Carolina to spend at least $6.75 million in revenue sharing with the men’s basketball program and commits $4 million for staff members, including assistant coaches and support staff.

He could face a major rebuild in his first offseason. Star freshman Caleb Wilson, who attended the press conference, is certain to head to the NBA. Point guard Derek Dixon, who also attended the event, is one of seven current players in the transfer portal. Malone met with members of the current team before the press conference.

Though college basketball is becoming increasingly like professional basketball each day, Malone said there are differences, particularly in what players are seeking from their coach.

“They don’t want me to just help them become a better basketball player,” Malone said, “they want somebody that’s going to mentor them and help them become the best young men that they can possibly be. That’s something that I do not take lightly, and I look forward to doing.”

Malone was a head coach for parts of 12 seasons with Sacramento and Denver. He spent years as an assistant coach in New York, Cleveland, New Orleans and Golden State. While in Cleveland, he coached former UNC players Antawn Jamison and Danny Green briefly. Jamison played a role in the search and backed Malone, as did former Tar Heel and current analyst Kenny Smith, whose son is committed to UNC. Malone said he also heard from other former UNC players, including Harrison Barnes, Jawad Williams and Green.

“Twenty-six games, and Antawn Jamison, all these years later, remembers our time together, and not only in my ability as a coach, but how I carried myself and I demanded and held guys accountable,” Malone said. “That stuck with him.”

Malone is the first coach without direct ties to the UNC men's basketball program since Frank McGuire was hired in 1952. Smith was an assistant on McGuire's staff when he was promoted to head coach in 1961. The four coaches that followed Smith's legendary run as head coach all either played for or coached with Smith: Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty, Williams and Davis.

That Carolina brand is what attracted Malone to the place, but he said his style will be different.

“I am an outsider coming into a really intimate family,” Malone said. “I have to balance the delicate balance of being true to the past and honoring tradition while also having my eyes on the future. The game is always changing and so if you see us doing things a little bit differently, it’s OK. Embrace that, it’s OK.”

Watch: Steve Newmark discusses UNC's hiring of Michael Malone