UNC FIRES Hubert Davis: Stephen A. Says It’s Time!

UNC Pulls Trigger on Hubert Davis After Disappointing Seasons

The University of North Carolina has fired head basketball coach Hubert Davis. This decision comes after a period where the team’s performance did not meet the high expectations of the storied program. Stephen A. Smith, a prominent voice on ESPN’s First Take, believes this move was necessary, stating that Davis had lost the fan base.

Losing the Fan Base: A Key Factor

“When you lose your fan base, you have to make a change,” Smith explained on First Take. He acknowledged that Davis is a good person and a respected figure, having played in the NBA and served as a longtime assistant. Smith recalled Davis’s clutch free throws in the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals that helped the Knicks advance. However, despite his positive personal qualities and coaching background, the results on the court led to the fan base’s frustration.

North Carolina: An Elite Program

Smith emphasized that North Carolina is an elite basketball program, arguably one of the top two or three jobs in the country, alongside programs like Kentucky and Kansas. From this perspective, consistent success is not just desired, it’s expected. The inability to avoid blowing significant leads, like a 19-point advantage against Virginia Commonwealth for the second year in a row, became a major concern.

The Duke Rivalry: A Standard Bearer

A significant part of the pressure on any North Carolina coach is the intense rivalry with Duke. Smith stressed that the two programs, separated by only eight miles, must remain competitive. He pointed out that while Duke, under Jon Scheyer, has achieved consistent success with multiple 27-33 win seasons and top recruiting classes, North Carolina has struggled. The perception of Duke being the dominant force in the rivalry, with North Carolina hovering around the No. 17-20 ranking and early NCAA tournament exits, was unacceptable to the Tar Heel faithful.

“You can’t have Duke as the number one team in the nation and North Carolina hovering around 17 or 20… That cannot happen.” – Stephen A. Smith

Smith highlighted the coaching transitions at Duke, noting that after Mike Krzyzewski’s departure, Jon Scheyer has maintained a high level of success. This contrasts with North Carolina’s struggles under Davis, creating a significant gap that the fan base simply would not tolerate. He compared the current situation to past coaching changes, like when Matt Doherty struggled before Roy Williams arrived and led the team to three national championships.

Potential Candidates and Internal vs. External Search

The discussion then turned to who North Carolina might target next. Pete Thamel suggested that the Tar Heels might look outside their traditional coaching tree, which has historically favored internal candidates. Names like Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan were mentioned as possibilities, though their availability is uncertain. Coaches like Dusty May, TJ Otzelberger, Ben McCollum, and Tommy Lloyd were also brought up.

Stephen A. Smith, however, advocated strongly for Kenny “The Jet” Smith. He believes Smith possesses the charisma and recruiting ability to succeed at North Carolina, emphasizing that modern college basketball success hinges on recruiting as much as coaching strategy. Smith argued that Smith’s deep connections in youth basketball and his popularity could help him win recruiting battles against rivals like Duke.

Skepticism and the Reality of College Sports

Fellow First Take host, Ryan Clark, expressed skepticism about hiring Kenny Smith, pointing out that North Carolina just tried the assistant-turned-head-coach route with Hubert Davis, who had a long tenure as an assistant under Roy Williams. Clark questioned why they would hire someone with no college coaching experience, especially at 61 years old. He also raised the point that with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), player decisions are increasingly driven by financial opportunities, potentially diminishing the impact of traditional recruiting pitches.

Smith countered that recruiting is paramount and that Kenny Smith, in his opinion, has the ability to connect with players and convince them to join the program. He also suggested Fred Hoiberg as another potential candidate. The debate highlighted the differing philosophies on what North Carolina needs in its next head coach: a proven recruiter, a seasoned coach, or someone who understands the program’s unique culture and rivalry dynamics.

The Standard at Chapel Hill

Ultimately, the consensus is that the North Carolina job comes with immense pressure, especially given the rivalry with Duke. The fan base expects a coach who can not only win games but also embody the spirit of the program and compete at the highest level year after year. Whether the next hire comes from within the North Carolina family or from outside, the mandate will be clear: restore the Tar Heels to national prominence and keep pace with their archrivals.

Source: Stephen A. has NO PROBLEM with North Carolina FIRING Hubert Davis 👀 | First Take (YouTube)