標籤: Tar

The North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search has resulted in contract extensions for at least two top targets, with Alabama’s Nate Oats and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd agreeing to new deals. Now the program’s focus has reportedly shifted to four other current head coaches.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty Mays, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Iowa State Cyclones coach TJ Otzelbarger and UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley are the top targets in North Carolina’s coaching search at the moment.

RELATED: Potential cost of UNC Tar Heels coaching search revealed

Specifically, according to Thamel, if Michigan loses in the Final Four, the Tar Heels plan to play hard for May. With the Wolverines advancing to the men’s national championship game to face UConn, both Hurley and May are being viewed as unlikely recruits for North Carolina.

What’s likely to happen is that Hurley and Mays will use the Tar Heels’ coaching search as leverage to land a deal. After receiving interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024, Hurley used that to take advantage of an extension from UConn. May, who was hired by Michigan in 2024, will do the same here.

The real question may be whether Otzelberger uses the interest as leverage. However, given that North Carolina can provide better resources to build a top program, it stands to reason that Otzelberger would see it as an upgrade from his current program at Iowa State.

RELATED: NBA coach addresses Tar Heels’ interest in HC gig

Specifically, according to Thamel, Donovan does not want to leave his position in the NBA until Chicago’s season ends. This would mean that North Carolina, if he were hired, would not be able to make an official announcement until the Bulls season ends on Sunday, April 12. Until then, the college basketball transfer portal will be exhausted with limited options available for North Carolina.

Donovan appears to be the Tar Heels’ preferred option of the two, and there have been reports that the opportunity to coach in Chapel Hill would be appealing to Donovan. However, if the school decides it can’t wait, Otzelberger could be the next Tar Heels men’s basketball coach.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The North Carolina Tar Heels turned to pro sports two years ago when they needed to find a new head coach for the football program. Now that they are in the market for a men’s basketball coach, the same approach can be used with someone acquired from the NBA.

Amid reports that he is an option under consideration in the Tar Heels coaching search, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan did not deny that he would be interested in the North Carolina coaching job. However, for now he is focused on his role in Chicago.

“My main focus is on these guys and this new team. I understand there’s a lot out there, and I understand there will be some speculation. But, I have to focus on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago, having a game tonight, and traveling to play a back-to-back.”

Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan on potential interest in being considered as part of the North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search (h/t The Athletic)

RELATED: Latest on North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search

Donovan, who will turn 61 in May, was once one of the best coaches in college basketball. He won six regular season SEC titles and back-to-back national championships along with four Final Four appearances with the Florida Gators.

After posting a 467–186 record (.715 winning percentage) at Florida, Donovan made the jump to the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the 2015–16 NBA season. ^{He recorded a .608 winning percentage in five seasons with the franchise, but his record in the NBA playoffs was only 18–23.}

RELATED: North Carolina Tar Heels coaching candidates

One thing worth noting is that Chicago Sun-Times It was reported that there were rumors in the NBA that Donovan might leave the position of head coach of Chicago and then take a year off. Instead, he may decide to return to college basketball for the first time in more than a decade.

This would be a bit risky for both parties. Donovan was a men’s college basketball coach long before the NIL era and won national championships when future NBA stars like Joakim Noah and Al Horford coached him for multiple seasons.

Donovan wasn’t the only guy under consideration in the NBA. North Carolina reportedly had interest in Boston Celtics executive Brad Stevens, but he has opted to remain in his current role

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson