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North Carolina's coaching search took a big turn on Friday when Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd signed an extension to remain at Arizona. Lloyd was rumored to be UNC's top target on their board, leaving them having to turn to other options.
Michigan's Dusty May is also rumored to be on top of UNC's list but there's been nothing concrete on that front as of now. Ahead of Saturday's Final Four, ESPN analyst Pete Thamel provided an update to UNC's coaching search and in the segment, he noted something very interesting.
Thamel states that UNC will make some calls after Monday, including to May, Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger and UConn's Danny Hurley.
"Let's break this down into two tiers, aspirational and realistic," Thamel said. "UNC is still in its aspirational list, expect them to make a push for a couple of Final Four coaches when they do lose or potentially win this weekend. if Dusty May loses tonight, look for UNC to go after him hard. That remains unlikely, but he is atop their list. Look for Danny Hurley and T.J. Otzelberger to get a call, in Otzelberger's case, a re-call."
Now, Thamel is putting out names and doesn't really say any of the three college coaches he mentions will be likely to take the job. He then names Billy Donovan as someone who is on top of the list, but UNC has to wait for his NBA season to be over.
With Hurley, it doesn't make sense for him to leave UConn and it seems like a call to "make him say no" more than anything else. He's in a GREAT spot at UConn, winning two of the last three national championships going into this season.
As for the realistic options, Thamel names Scott Drew, Grant McCasland, Ben McCollum and Mark Byington.
The next week or so will be very important for this coaching search.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: ESPN analyst says UNC basketball will call Final Four coach about job
Continue reading...
Michigan's Dusty May is also rumored to be on top of UNC's list but there's been nothing concrete on that front as of now. Ahead of Saturday's Final Four, ESPN analyst Pete Thamel provided an update to UNC's coaching search and in the segment, he noted something very interesting.
Thamel states that UNC will make some calls after Monday, including to May, Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger and UConn's Danny Hurley.
"Let's break this down into two tiers, aspirational and realistic," Thamel said. "UNC is still in its aspirational list, expect them to make a push for a couple of Final Four coaches when they do lose or potentially win this weekend. if Dusty May loses tonight, look for UNC to go after him hard. That remains unlikely, but he is atop their list. Look for Danny Hurley and T.J. Otzelberger to get a call, in Otzelberger's case, a re-call."
Now, Thamel is putting out names and doesn't really say any of the three college coaches he mentions will be likely to take the job. He then names Billy Donovan as someone who is on top of the list, but UNC has to wait for his NBA season to be over.
With Hurley, it doesn't make sense for him to leave UConn and it seems like a call to "make him say no" more than anything else. He's in a GREAT spot at UConn, winning two of the last three national championships going into this season.
As for the realistic options, Thamel names Scott Drew, Grant McCasland, Ben McCollum and Mark Byington.
The next week or so will be very important for this coaching search.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: ESPN analyst says UNC basketball will call Final Four coach about job
Continue reading...
