Hubert Davis’ run as the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels recently came to an end. Davis became the head coach of the program in 2021 and was fired this week after the team’s first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament.
UNC is now looking for a new head coach, and there are several good options they can consider. Michael Jordan was rumored to be one of the candidates lined up to take over the HC duties, but that is highly unlikely.
There have also been suggestions that MJ could be involved in the search for a new head coach, given his importance in the organization. Before he took over the NBA and became arguably the greatest player of all time, MJ represented the Tar Heels.
He played for the program from 1981 to 1984. He won the NCAA title in 1982 and was the consensus National College Player of the Year in 1984. Long after his retirement from basketball, Jordan has maintained his relationship with the program.
During a recent appearance on OutKick Hot Mic, UNC insider Greg Barnes was asked how involved MJ is with the program as they stand on the verge of picking another head coach, possibly someone from the outside.
“Michael Jordan certainly is connected to the program,” he said. “He’s not as overly involved as a lot of other people. Why that is…I can’t exactly explain. I don’t know if it’s a matter of not wanting to interfere too much or if he’s so focused on NASCAR and some other things.”
Barnes revealed that some of the older players have a problem with the program moving on without Davis, but the younger players understand it. Even though they think Davis was great, they understand there was a need for a change within the program, according to Barnes.
Michael Lombardi on What Michael Jordan’s Presence Means to the Program
Even though he has been retired for over two decades, Michael Jordan helps the program in more ways than one.
In 2025, Michael Lombardi, the general manager of UNC, said that Jordan’s presence is far more valuable than the money he can provide for the program. He is unlike any other billionaire because of the influence he still has on the basketball culture.
“I think to me him wanting to be involved, him wanting to give us the Jordan Brand – which I wear every single day – that’s really important,” he said.
As per Lombardi, everyone knows MJ, what he represents, and the value of his brand.
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