Hubert Davis’ firing from North Carolina isn’t sitting well with Bruce Pearl.
Speaking in studio Thursday during TNT’s March Madness coverage, the former Auburn coach-turned-college basketball analyst — whose curious soundbites have continued to dominate tournament headlines — spoke at length about UNC’s decision to part ways with its men’s basketball coach, suggesting “there is no loyalty anymore.”
“I just hate hearing the words ‘Hubert Davis was fired at UNC.’ That sentence right there bothers me to my core,” Pearl began. “Because if Hubert Davis, who has had such a great career, and Jalen [Rose], to your point, with his character and everything like that, can be let go because he didn’t win enough when his best player got hurt? That’s why I’m sitting here, guys. That’s part of the reason why I’m sitting here. Because there is no loyalty anymore.”
A Tar Heels alum, Davis, 55, played collegiately at UNC from 1988-92 before beginning his coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant in 2012.
He was elevated to head coach in 2021 and saw immediate success in his first season, when UNC reached the national championship game but fell to the Kansas Jayhawks.
Although UNC missed the Big Dance in 2023, the program reached the tournament in the following three years, with Davis’ squad going as far as the Sweet 16 in 2024.
Davis’ fifth season came to a crushing end last Thursday when the sixth-seeded Tar Heels — playing without injured star freshman Caleb Wilson — fell to No. 11 VCU in overtime, 82-78.
UNC announced its decision to part ways with Davis days later.
“We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader — he has helped make special memories we will never forget,” athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in an official release.
“This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”
Davis posted a 125-54 record across five seasons.
Given the duration of Davis’ run, several on social media found Pearl’s “loyalty” remarks perplexing.
“So performance for jobs in coaching are based on loyalty not results?” one X user commented.
“It’s not about loyalty, it’s about results,” another posted.
“Loyalty? He had FIVE years…,” a separate user stated.
Pearl has ruffled feathers with his commentary this season after stepping down as Auburn’s men’s basketball coach in September 2025 following 11 seasons.
He was succeeded by his son, Steven.
Ahead of this year’s tournament, UMBC dunked on the former coach after the 66-year-old Pearl pondered Miami (Ohio)’s case for an at-large bid while backing the Tigers, who missed the tournament.
“Just realized the best part of having an autobid is that we don’t need a relative going on tv to explain why we deserve to be in over a 30-win @MiamiRedHawks,” the post read.
