Stepping up to the plate after former UNC’s head coach Roy Williams’ stunning decision to retire after a Hall of Fame career, former assistant coach UNC standout Hubert Davis will be promoted to replace his Williams, per the Associated Press’ Aaron Beard.
Beard adds that the hiring was made following an emergency meeting by its board of trustees.
Davis, now 50-years-old, had been on Williams’ staff since 2012 while serving in multiple capacities. A coach, recruiter and scout, he also served as head coach of the UNC junior varsity program and oversaw the program’s charitable endeavors, experience that was all likely a factored into the decision to promote him.
As is his career as a professional athlete, as Davis is a former first-round pick who spent 12 seasons in the NBA.
Athletic director Bubba Cunningham would speak on the hiring of Davis, the first Black head coach in the basketball program’s history, saying “he teaches student-athletes on and off the court… He inspires his fellow staff members. He is strongly committed to family.”
“He has a tenacious, burning desire to be the best he can possibly be; we witnessed that when he was a player, a broadcaster and an assistant coach — and I have no doubt he will ensure that our student-athletes and program will be the best they can be, as well.”
“I love this university,” Davis would say of his hiring. “I played here, I earned my degree here, I fell in love with my wife here, I got married here, I moved here after I retired from the NBA and I have raised my family here. I am proud to lead this team, and I can’t wait for all that comes next.”
