Hubert Davis lost a 19-point lead, which led to a lost game, which might lead to a lost job.
According to CBS Sports, Davis’ future at the University of North Carolina is uncertain in the midst of a few underwhelming seasons and a rough second half Thursday that ended the national championship hopes for the No. 6 Tar Heels, which crumbled against No. 11 VCU in the late minutes and then overtime in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
After the loss, Davis did not have contact with his coaching staff from Friday morning into Saturday’s previously scheduled team meeting, according to the report.
Such a development only adds to the expectation that Davis may not be back for a sixth season in Chapel Hill.
North Carolina is saying no decision has been made as of Saturday.
“Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham told CBS Sports.
“The Chancellor, [incoming athletic director Steve Newmark] and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days.”
Perhaps the biggest issue facing Davis’ return: A source told CBS Sports that there is no way to raise more funds for next year’s team because most of the boosters at UNC have “lost faith in the program.”
That faith might have nosedived Thursday, when the Tar Heels were up by 19 with 14 minutes left and found a way to choke away a game in which they did not score a basket in the extra period.
In Davis’ defense, the team was playing without star freshman Caleb Wilson, who underwent season-ending thumb surgery.
An alum himself, Davis replaced the legendary Roy Williams in 2021-22 and led a run to the NCAA Tournament championship game, where another late collapse helped Kansas win the title.
Since then, UNC did not make the tournament in 2023, advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2024 and now has lost in the opening round in back-to-back seasons.
Davis’ teams are 125-54 in his five seasons.
According to USA Today, Davis is signed through June 30, 2030, and would be owed $5.312 million if fired by April 1.
And if fired, one of the premier coaching jobs in all of sports would be vacant.
