The University of North Carolina announced the dismissal of men's basketball head coach Hubert Davis following a first-round exit from the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
No. 6 seed North Carolina fell to No. 10 seed Virginia Commonwealth 82-78 in overtime on March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. VCU overcame a 19-point second-half deficit, with Terrence Hill Jr. hitting a key three-pointer late in overtime.
Guard Seth Trimble's three-point attempt at the end of regulation missed after an in-bounds steal, forcing overtime where North Carolina struggled offensively.
Athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement: "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. 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."
Davis, 55, responded in a statement: "Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing. ... I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together." He indicated plans to coach again soon.
Davis played for the Tar Heels from 1988 to 1992 and was selected 20th overall by the New York Knicks in the 1992 NBA draft.[1] He joined the UNC staff as an assistant in 1999 under Roy Williams, succeeding him as head coach in April 2021.
In his debut 2021-22 season, North Carolina advanced to the NCAA championship game, losing 72-69 to Kansas.[2] The team missed the 2023 tournament but returned as a No. 1 seed in 2024, losing 89-87 to No. 4 Alabama in the Sweet 16.[3]
Davis was named the 2023-24 ACC Coach of the Year.[4] Over five seasons, reports state he posted a 125-54 record in 179 games, including four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Sources
- University of North Carolina Athletics. "Hubert Davis - Men's Basketball Coach." Accessed October 2024. https://goheels.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/hubert-davis/2378
- NCAA.com. "Kansas beats UNC 72-69 to win first NCAA men's basketball title since 1953." April 4, 2022. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2022-04-04/kansas-beats-unc-72-69-win-first-ncaa-mens-basketball-title-1953
- ESPN. "Alabama eliminates top-seeded North Carolina from NCAA Tournament." March 29, 2024. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39907892/alabama-eliminates-no-1-north-carolina-sweet-16-march-madness
- Atlantic Coast Conference. "2024 ACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Announced." March 11, 2024. https://theacc.com/news/2024/3/11/mens-basketball-2024-acc-mens-basketball-coach-of-the-year-announced.aspx
