Key moments
Hubert Davis has been fired as the head coach of the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team after five seasons, a decision confirmed on March 24, 2026. This move comes on the heels of a disappointing performance in the NCAA tournament, where the Tar Heels lost to VCU in the first round.
Davis, who served as head coach from April 2021 until March 2026, had a record of 125 wins and 54 losses, achieving a winning percentage of 69.8%. His tenure included a notable achievement in 2022, when he led the Tar Heels to the national championship game as an 8-seed, although they ultimately fell short.
The decision to part ways with Davis was made by athletic director Bubba Cunningham and accepted by chancellor Lee Roberts. Cunningham expressed appreciation for Davis’s contributions, stating, “We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget.”
Despite the firing, UNC will honor the terms of Davis’ contract, which includes nearly $5.3 million of guaranteed money remaining. Davis, who previously served as an assistant coach under Roy Williams for nine years, expressed his desire to continue coaching in the future, stating, “My goal is to coach again in the very near future.”
Davis’s promotion to head coach followed the retirement of Roy Williams in 2021, marking a significant transition for the program. His time as a player for the Tar Heels from 1988 to 1992 under legendary coach Dean Smith also contributed to his deep ties with the university.
As the program looks to the future, a national search for the next head coach is already underway. Cunningham noted that this decision was not easy, emphasizing Davis’s tremendous character and the contributions he made to the program. He remarked, “This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential candidates for the head coaching position, but the university is expected to prioritize experience and a proven track record in its search. The Tar Heels will look to rebound from this season’s challenges and return to their historically competitive status in college basketball.
