The next phase of the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball coaching search is under way.
With Dusty May opting to remain at University of Michigan — as reported by multiple outlets over the weekend — UNC has turned its focus to a group of remaining candidates as it works to replace Hubert Davis, who was fired last month.
North Carolina is actively working through a group of college coaches under consideration, including (in no particular order) Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, Baylor’s Scott Drew, Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland and Iowa’s Ben McCollum, while also evaluating former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, whom a source described to the N&O as a “viable” candidate.
The Tar Heels are exploring their college candidates — plus Malone — as the search continues, rather than structuring the process solely around Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, who remains a prominent name tied to the job. With Donovan’s season ongoing until April 12, UNC continues its search amid a calendar that is creating increasing urgency: The NCAA transfer portal opens April 7 at midnight. Ideally, UNC would have a head coach in place before the portal opened, positioned to retain players and pursue additions.
That is incredibly unlikely to happen.
So what’s next for UNC?
The Tar Heels are continuing their search this week ahead of the portal’s opening without a completed hire — a reality that could create short-term challenges but has not altered the program’s approach.
Multiple sources have emphasized UNC is focused on making the right decision, even if it means operating without a coach at the outset of portal activity. The emphasis remains on long-term fit rather than rushing to meet a specific date for this cycle.
May’s decision, along with Tommy Lloyd announcing he was removing himself from consideration on Friday, has reshaped the North Carolina coaching search. In essence, two of the top candidates removed their names over the weekend. There is no updated timeline for a hire
That uncertainty is creating immediate implications for UNC’s current roster. Freshman guard Isaiah Denis announced Sunday night he intends to enter the portal while leaving open the option to return, citing the program’s coaching uncertainty.
“UNC is a special place,” Denis wrote on Instagram. “That is why even though I intend to enter the transfer portal due to the coaching uncertainty, I’m keeping the option open to return to UNC.”
The decision for Denis, a former four-star prospect out of Charlotte, reflects a broader issue. UNC’s players are operating without clarity on the program’s direction, scheme or roster outlook, factors that typically guide decisions on whether to stay or leave. Even those open to remaining in Chapel Hill are facing pressure to enter the portal in order to preserve flexibility as other programs move quickly to build their rosters.
The transfer portal remains open for two weeks following its April 7 start date. As the N&O reported last week, UNC general manager Jim Tanner has continued to be involved in Chapel Hill, with help from staff like assistant coach Sean May and director of operations Eric Hoots, in meeting with players. The majority of the Tar Heel roster is weighing options for the upcoming season and await news of who their new head coach will be, should they stay.
A look at UNC’s candidates
Each of UNC’s remaining options brings a distinct profile. Here’s a quick (noncomprehensive) glance at some of the candidates:
- Byington has quickly reshaped the Commodores’ program since taking over in 2024. He’s led Vanderbilt to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 5-seed this season. Byington, 49, is a Virginia native who played at UNC-Wilmington. He has ACC experience as an assistant at Virginia and Virginia Tech. Vanderbilt recently announced a contract extension for Byington, who became the first head coach in program history to win 20 or more games in each of his first two seasons. The extension adds a financial hurdle for UNC but does not take Byington out of the running, a source told the N&O.
- Drew has spent 23 seasons in Waco, Texas, winning 483 games and the 2021 national championship. Drew’s teams have consistently ranked among the top offensive programs nationally, although recent seasons have shown a decline. Baylor failed to make the NCAA Tournament field this year.
- McCasland has built a reputation for tough, disciplined teams. The 49-year-old Texas native guided the Red Raiders to back-to-back NCAA tournaments as a 3-seed last year and a 5-seed this year. McCasland signed a six-year extension last year averaging $5.25 million annually. His buyout — reportedly north of $10 million, per ESPN and other outlets — could be a major hurdle. And that’s before you factor in the ramifications of any potential bidding war against the same oil money boosters who helped build a football juggernaut in Lubbock, Texas.
- McCollum, 44, won four Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State before moving to Drake and then Iowa, where he reached the Elite Eight. His six-year contract pays $3.3 million annually, with a $5 million buyout. His methodical, slow tempo style would be at odds with how UNC has historically played. McCollum said in late March he had no intention of leaving Iowa for the 2026-27 season, telling reporters that rumors connecting him to other programs —including North Carolina — are “all lies.” Still, a source confirmed to the N&O that McCollum is still in the mix.
- Malone is currently an ESPN analyst and coaching free agent. His daughter is a sophomore on UNC’s volleyball team. He last coached in college as an assistant at Manhattan in 2001 before spending more than a decade in the NBA, including head coaching stints in Sacramento and 10 years in Denver, where he won an NBA championship in 2023. A Northeast native, he played collegiately at Loyola (Maryland).
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 10:44 AM.
