North Carolina isn't playing it safe.
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The Tar Heels are expected to hire longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as their next head coach, according to ESPN. If it happens, it's one of the more intriguing college-to-pro crossover moves we've seen in a while.
Malone brings a serious résumé.
He won an NBA title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023 and has piled up more than 500 career wins as a head coach between Denver and Sacramento. That's not a typical college hire. That's a proven NBA voice stepping into Chapel Hill.
And it's a shift.
Malone spent the past year out of coaching after being let go by the Nuggets, moving into a media role with ESPN. He stayed visible, stayed connected to the game, but didn't jump back into an NBA job despite interest around the league.
Now he's heading a different direction.
This would be his first time running a college program, but he's not new to building teams. Before becoming a head coach, Malone put in years as an NBA assistant with stops in New York, Cleveland, New Orleans, and Golden State.
UNC had options.
Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan was reportedly in the mix, but the Tar Heels are going big here. New voice. Different background. Championship pedigree.
It also comes after the program moved on from Hubert Davis, signaling a clear desire for change.
Malone brings credibility. He brings experience. He brings a different perspective.
Now the question is simple: How does that translate to college basketball?
