Brad Stevens, Tommy Lloyd Seemingly Drop Out of Running for UNC Job
The opening for the head basketball coach position at UNC is a pretty big deal, but two high-profile targets have seemingly taken themselves out of the race. Brad Stevens and Tommy Lloyd were among the names pitched in the wake of the Hubert Davis firing, but neither seems interested in the position, at least not over their current spot.
Tommy Lloyd isn't interested in UNC
Because of the buyouts for Todd Golden and other big-school coaches, UNC was always unlikely to get the best of the best to replace Hubert Davis. Tommy Lloyd of Arizona, though, figured to be a little bit easier to poach. He isn't interested, though.
"I already have one of the best jobs in the country," Lloyd said. "And one thing we talk about in our program all the time -- and I think I've gotten better at it, and I think our team's been crushing it this year -- is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment."
Lloyd did stop short of outright denying any interest, but he did prefer to refocus on the game at hand."I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game, but I'm not delusional," Lloyd said. "I know we could lose tomorrow, but this team deserves my full focus. So, there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path."
He said he is "100% focused on Arizona basketball and this program," seemingly saying he's not going to even think about North Carolina for now. That might change, but given Arizona's success, it's not likely.
Brad Stevens is out
Initially, the reporting coming out of Chapel Hill suggested that Brad Stevens, current Boston Celtics president, was the top name on UNC's list of potential Hubert Davis replacements. Stevens took Butler to two straight national championship games.
He hasn't coached in college since 2013 or in any capacity since 2021, but he's one of the best basketball minds. He also knows how to run an NBA team, so he'd be pretty good with recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal.
However, a report surfaced not long after Davis was fired that Stevens is out. He's withdrawing his name from consideration, so the Tar Heels can move on and look elsewhere. It was always a long shot, but now they know not to even consider barking up that tree.
Billy Donovan is intrigued
Basketball Hall of Famer Billy Donovan was also named as a potential replacement. He's also in the NBA, currently coaching the Chicago Bulls. Unlike Stevens, he didn't take himself out of the conversation. Although, a recent extension might make things difficult for the Heels.
“My main focus is on these guys and this new team,” Donovan said, not totally shutting the door. “I understand that there’s stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But, I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago, having a game tonight, and traveling to go and play in a back-to-back.”
Donovan was the coach for the Florida Gators dynasty in the 2000s. However, he's been out of the college game for 11 years. Still, he would be a smart hire. “It’s different in dealing with players who are being paid now. I also think the cycle of the NBA today is totally different than the cycle of college," he admitted.
Who remains an option?
Let's assume the names like Todd Golden, Dusty May, and others who are entrenched at schools with good programs already are out. They'd be expensive and unlikely to jump ship for what might be a lateral move.
The remaining names of interest are:
- Iowa State coach TJ. Otzelberger
- Alabama coach Nate Oats
- Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland
- Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington
- Gonzaga coach Mark Few
- Baylor coach Scott Drew
- Former Villanova coach Jay Wright
They're still the Tar Heels, so while some are not interested, plenty of other elite coaches will be.
