Michael Malone Reveals Roy Williams’ Pivotal Role in His Decision to Take UNC Job
In an exclusive interview, the new Tar Heels head coach details how a Hall of Famer’s passion swayed him after he turned down the position three times.
By [Your Name/Newsroom]
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When the University of North Carolina broke with a half-century of tradition to hire Michael Malone, it shocked the college basketball world. The longtime NBA coach, who led the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 championship, had never been a college head coach and lacked the typical “Carolina Family” pedigree. However, in an exclusive interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Malone revealed the surprising figure who ultimately persuaded him to leave the NBA: Hall of Famer Roy Williams .
Malone’s journey to Chapel Hill was anything but straightforward. He admitted that he initially dismissed the idea of taking over for the fired Hubert Davis. “I turned the job down three times,” Malone told Rothstein . “I felt finally at peace about that, and I was going to stay in the NBA and continue my NBA journey.” He was set on remaining in the professional ranks until a few conversations with Williams changed everything .
Despite being a newcomer to the Tar Heel inner circle, Malone felt an immediate connection with the legendary coach who won three national titles in Chapel Hill. “I just met him and just got to know him, but I felt like I’ve known him for years. Coach Williams has that kind of impact on you,” Malone said .
What struck Malone wasn’t just the standard welcome, but the raw, undeniable fervor Williams still holds for the university he retired from in 2021. “The thing that kinda resonated with me was how much Coach Williams loves this university, how much Coach Williams loves this program,” Malone explained . “That passion that he has. He has been unbelievably welcoming to me and my family.”
Malone’s hesitation was understandable. By UNC’s hallowed standards, he is about as untraditional a hire as the program has ever made. Historically, the Tar Heels have kept the job within the family. The lineage is nearly unbroken: Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty, Roy Williams (a Smith assistant and UNC graduate), and Hubert Davis (a player under Smith and Williams’ assistant) . Malone is the first coach since Frank McGuire in 1952 to be hired with no prior connections to the university as a player or assistant coach .
Yet, Williams actively embraced this outsider status. During Malone’s introductory press conference at the Dean Smith Center, Malone admitted he was initially hesitant to step into the shadow of legends. But Williams’ endorsement and advice helped reframe the opportunity. “Every time I spoke to you and I said, ‘Coach, I am not coming. I am staying in the NBA,’ every time I thought about it and talked to my wife, Jocelyn, I said, ‘You know what? This is North Carolina. This is Roy Williams. This is Dean Smith. This is Coach Guthridge,’” Malone recalled .
Malone noted that he told Williams it was “really important” to him to have the former coach remain involved with the program, knowing how much the history means to the fans and players . In return, Williams delivered a strong public vote of confidence. In a statement released via the university, Williams said, “College basketball is changing rapidly and today is a great day to welcome Michael Malone as our new head coach. UNC basketball is special and I am excited to have him with our program. He is a proven winner as an NBA world championship coach and I am ready to watch his work as a Tar Heel! This is REALLY going to be fun!” .
The hire signals a major philosophical shift for the Tar Heels as they adapt to the new landscape of college athletics. Athletic Director-elect Steve Newmark noted that the game is moving toward a professional model with NIL and the transfer portal, making Malone’s NBA pedigree a major asset . “Michael was the first coach we engaged with… He is a brilliant coach who will deliver a modern and disciplined approach,” Newmark said .
Malone arrives with an impressive 510 career NBA wins and a 44-36 playoff record . He also received endorsements from another Tar Heel legend, Michael Jordan, signaling that while he may be an outsider, he has the blessing of the program’s royalty .
