Former North Carolina Tar Heels star Cam Johnson has reacted to the program hiring Michael Malone as the new head coach, replacing Hubert Davis following back-to-back NCAA Tournament first-round exits.
Malone and Johnson have never been on the same team. Malone was the head coach of the Denver Nuggets from 2015 to 2025. Meanwhile, Johnson played for the Phoenix Suns (2019–2023), Brooklyn Nets (from 2023) and currently with the Nuggets. When Johnson joined the Nuggets, Malone had already been fired by then.
Talking on The Old Man and The Three, Johnson showed excitement about UNC’s future under Malone, who has tremendous experience in the NBA and has even won a title. While Johnson himself may not have played under the coach, from what he has heard, the Nuggets guard believes it’s going to be a good fit.
“I have teammates that have played under Coach Malone for a long, long time, and they seem to think that it’s going to be a good fit for him,” Johnson said. “I think a cool part of it is that his daughter’s at UNC, so he already has those ties. From what I hear, he’ll be completely fine with the Xs and Os of college basketball and getting his players to play hard, adopt the system.”
Johnson also pointed out that recruiting will be difficult for Malone since he has no experience in college basketball as head coach before.
“I think the inherent difficulty of an NBA coach stepping down to college for the first time is recruiting and building your roster that way,” Johnson added. “I think if he can sell on, you know, I have this NBA experience, I can get you ready for that next step, and then puts a good staff around him that can also recruit at a high level, I think it’s an extremely positive thing. I’m excited to see what he accomplishes there. I’m excited to kind of get in to talk to him a little bit now and see where the program’s heading.”
Michael Malone Takes Pride In Becoming Tar Heels’ HC
Michael Malone and North Carolina are finalizing on the contract that would make the former Nuggets head coach the leader in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels last won an NCAA title in 2017, and they haven’t had a lot to show since then apart from one Final Four appearance. Malone will be tasked to restore the credibility of the program as a contender.
After the news was announced, Malone was honored to become the head coach of the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball program.
”Carolina is one of the most historic programs in college basketball, and I am honored to be the head coach of the Tar Heels,” Malone said. “It is humbling to follow so many legends in Chapel Hill. I know from the many Tar Heels in the NBA how special the Carolina Basketball Family is, and I will do everything I can to continue UNC’s championship legacy while preparing our players for professional careers and life after basketball.
“I offer my thanks to Chancellor [Lee] Roberts, Steve [Newmark] and Bubba [Cunningham], the Board of Trustees, and the search committee. I am proud to be a Tar Heel and can’t wait to get started.”
It remains to be seen how Malone fares in his foray as head coach in college basketball.
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