How Michael Malone’s daughter helped Kenny Smith be happy about North Carolina decision

Kenny Smith admits doubts over North Carolina hiring Mike Malone

Kenny Smith spoke about his initial reaction in a clip shared via TNTSportsUS, where he outlined why he was unsure about the move.

His concern centred on the idea of taking a coach from another environment rather than promoting from within or choosing a more traditional college path.

He said, “I didn’t like the fact that we would have had to poach from someone else. I actually expressed that. I didn’t feel that, oh, go get this coach from somewhere else.”

The reaction reflected a broader hesitation around bringing in an NBA figure to lead a historic college program.

Mike Malone’s daughter’s connection helped Kenny Smith understand the North Carolina move

Smith’s perspective shifted once he realised Malone already had a personal link to North Carolina.

Smith added: “The other thing is Mike Malone’s daughter is a volleyball player at University of North Carolina. When we were doing ESPN together in LA this year, he was walking around with a Tar Heel shirt on and I’m like, I didn’t understand it.

“So, he is a member of the Tar Heel. He’s been drafted in. He been drafted in by his daughter playing volleyball.”

The connection reframed the hire, suggesting Malone was not an outsider but someone already tied to the university.

That detail helped soften earlier doubts, showing the decision was not purely about bringing in an NBA coach, but about adding someone with an existing relationship to the program.