The North Carolina Tar Heels made a savvy move by hiring Michael Malone to replace Hubert Davis.
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UNC saved money on a buyout by hiring Malone, who last coached for the Denver Nuggets in 2025. Malone was set to become a candidate for multiple NBA teams this spring, but chose to join the Tar Heels to compete for national championships at a historic basketball school.
Malone knows how to develop talent and coach championship teams, leading the Denver Nuggets to an NBA Finals win in 2023.
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However, Malone does not have any experience as a head coach at the college level. He will need help with assistants to recruit elite talent that will help UNC immediately compete for a spot in the Final Four in 2027.
UNC appeared to get huge help in that department when they hired Kim English as an assistant for Malone. He was previously the head coach for George Mason and Providence.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, English told North Carolina that he will not take the job just days after he began his duties with the program.
“Sources: Kim English has informed UNC officials that he’s decided not to pursue an assistant coach position at North Carolina,” Thamel posted on X. “English is the former head coach at Providence College and George Mason.”
Fans on social media had strong reactions to the news English blacked out of the job.
“WOW. First they couldn’t find a head coach. Now they have Assistants bolting. Train Wreck,” wrote a fan.
“I’ve literally never seen this before — how do you work for a week and then just….leave? Really bad look for English,” posted another.
English’s decision to back out of the job is a bad look for the former head coach and UNC. The Tar Heels will continue to look for assistants before the transfer portal closes on Tuesday.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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