Michael Malone Headed to Chapel Hill — UNC Hires Ex-Nuggets Coach

Michael Malone is leaving the NBA — for college basketball's most storied program.

North Carolina is hiring the former Denver Nuggets head coach as its next men's basketball coach, sources told ESPN. Malone, who won an NBA championship with Denver and went 510 wins in 12 NBA seasons (471-327 with the Nuggets alone), replaces Hubert Davis who was fired two weeks ago.

This is a massive departure for UNC. Malone is the first coach hired without direct ties to the Tar Heels' basketball program since Frank McGuire in 1952. He hasn't coached in college since 2001, when he was an assistant at Manhattan. UNC reportedly spoke with Michigan's Dusty May, Arizona's Tommy Lloyd, and Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger — all of whom committed to staying. Malone, who's been working as an ESPN analyst since leaving Denver, is the bold swing. An NBA champion coaching in the ACC. The Dean Dome is about to look very different.