Michael Malone. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

New HC Michael Malone reveals how long he kept North Carolina news a secret

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 8:52 PM ET

New North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball head coach Michael Malone is good at keeping his lips sealed.

The Tar Heels hired former Denver Nuggets coach Malone on Monday. The process, however, had been ongoing well before that.

How long did Michael Malone keep North Carolina hire under wraps?

North Carolina held Malone's introductory news conference on Tuesday. The coach said his hire has been underway for "probably 10 days."

Hiding it from the public gave Malone time to get his affairs in order and contact his predecessor, Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels fired the former HC following an 82-78 loss to the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The exchange sounded positive.

Mike Malone says the process of his hire at UNC has been going on "probably about 10 days."

Amazing, b/c nobody in the press had it. https://t.co/iZpZDFuO98
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 7, 2026

What did Michael Malone say about Hubert Davis?

"I have to say this. Hubert Davis let me in," Malone — who visited his daughter, North Carolina volleyball player Bridget, in 2025 — said, per On3's Nick Schultz. "This is bittersweet. Coach Davis sent me an amazing message yesterday. But he allowed me to come in, watch, and be a part of this family, which does not happen very often, if ever.

"I always spent time with the coaches, and as I was rooting for them all year long, [assistant coach Pat Sullivan] and I would talk about, 'What are you seeing, Coach? What can we do better, what recommendations do you have?' And I wish I could've been better help."

Malone has now joined the North Carolina family, but he remains an outsider. He's the first coach with no connections to the program since Frank McGuire (HC from 1952-61). While he's new to Chapel Hill, the coach clearly has deep respect for the six-time national champions.

"It wasn't an easy decision," Malone said while explaining why he didn't take another NBA job. "This is the only college job I'd ever consider. Any other job, I wouldn't even answer the phone."

"I have a chance to be a part of something special. ... This was the only college job I'd ever consider."

Michael Malone on his decision to become the head coach of @UNC_Basketball. pic.twitter.com/g3HFnzQ6s4
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) April 7, 2026

Malone can now answer the phone. He's with the only college program he'd ever consider coaching, and he no longer has to worry about calls from media members trying to break the story.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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