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Malone Takes Tar Heels Helm: Championship Coach to Lead UNC
6 Apr
Summary
- Michael Malone, former NBA champion coach, has been hired by UNC.
- Malone previously coached the Denver Nuggets from 2015 to 2025.
- UNC's National Championship odds improved to +2500 after the hiring.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have officially appointed former NBA head coach Michael Malone to lead their program. Malone, who guided the Denver Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2023 during his 2015-2025 tenure, brings a wealth of championship experience to the college ranks.
Malone's coaching journey includes earlier roles as an assistant at Oakland, Providence, and Manhattan in the 1990s before transitioning to the NBA in 2001. He replaces Hubert Davis, who experienced a downturn in team performance after an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 2022.
Following the announcement of Malone's arrival, North Carolina's prospects for the upcoming National Championship have seen a notable boost. The Tar Heels' odds now sit at +2500, positioning them as the 13th most favored team with an implied probability of 3.85%.