Former Nuggets head coach is headed to Chapel Hill to take over as tar heels top coach.
Hawkeyes can breath easy that Ben Mc is staying put!
Hawkeyes can breath easy that Ben Mc is staying put!
UNC hires Mike Malone
- Thread starter Palmerhawk
- Start date
Doubt the UNC faithful will be very happy with that.
I know UNC bball is a job that doesn't come open often and has prestige, but I never really was concerned about Ben leaving... We are his UNC.
Honestly, this is a second-tier hire if not a third. A real fall back. Tar Heel nation cannot be happy. We can savor the deliciousness of their angst.
Ben wasn't going anywhere
That's a tad harsh. He does have a NBA championship. AS a Nuggets fan, I don't think this is a terrible hire. Malone can coach and with the recruits he will get at UNC... I am more surprised to see Malone coming to college. Just seems more like an NBA guy.
Agree. A world title pro coach is a 1st tier hire.
His dad was also a respected pro coach.
UNC landed on their feet here
I suspect that even a hint that unc wanted Ben will be used on the recruiting trail by Ben and staff....hey,our coach is hot stuff!
We've got our guy. Now we can focus on the future without worry.
How many NBA coaches have made a successful move to college coach? Legitimate question…not trying to be snarky.
Was BMC ever considering the UNC job?
If he was, then I would say Iowa fans shouldn’t breathe easy, because he will likely jump to a blue blood in 1-2 years, if that’s indeed his goal. If BMC considers Iowa a long-term possibility, then BG better open up the checkbook and make his buyout practically untouchable.
In basketball, I can’t think of one.
Pete Carroll to USC is all I am coming up with (without Googling), and that’s obviously football.
Yeah, I don’t know. But my memory is crap.
google gemini:
- Larry Brown: Brown is the ultimate nomad of basketball coaching, but his success is undeniable. After coaching the New Jersey Nets, he moved to Kansas, where he won the 1988 NCAA Championship. He later returned to the NBA to win a title with the Detroit Pistons (2004), becoming the only coach to win both. He also had a successful later stint at SMU, leading them to two NCAA tournament appearances.
+1
- Rick Pitino: While his NBA head coaching stints (Knicks, Celtics) are often debated, his ability to return to college and win is historic. After coaching the Knicks, he took over Kentucky and won the 1996 National Championship. Following a stint with the Celtics, he led Louisville to the 2013 National Championship (later vacated) and is currently seeing a resurgence at St. John's, leading them to consecutive Big East titles in 2025 and 2026.
I forgot about Larry Brown.
Since Pitino was at UK before jumping to the Celtics then going back to college, I didn’t consider him.
It’s a different game now. Top college jobs are just like coaching in the Pros. You bring in your free agents, deal with their agents, etc. Malone is a really smart guy and a helluva coach. Calling him a 2nd or 3rd tier get is ridiculous. Hes got an NbA championship for goodness sakes. A bit of a prick, but a really good coach.
No clue. But this is a different game now. These are professional players anymore. Malone can be a hard *** all he wants, just pay them their money.
I have no clue if Malone will be succesful or not at UNC. However, calling him a second, or even third tier is pretty absurd.
Sounds like they asked for an interview and he declined. IMHO, I really think he wants to be here for a while to see what he can build. That said, things can change over time and perhaps he will entertain big $$ jobs in the future.
I really don't like that the rest of the country assumes that any Iowa coach (football, basketball, whatever) can be easily lured away. I don't think they understand that Iowa City is a great place to have a family, the facilities are great, and fan support is (can) be great. Of course, I'm biased....
I completely agree with this. Iowa is a final destination job, not a step up job, IMHO. I firmly believe a National championship can be won right here in Iowa City for all the reasons you just mentioned.
It is definitely trending that way.
I like the direction both football and basketball are headed, which is going to generate even more financial support. I was too young to remember much of the 1980s, but if both programs can generate that level of excitement the fan support will be strong.
People also forget the retirement benefits being a state job. Pretty sure Ferentz will be making plenty of money in retirement. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
So your post is about if someone wants to do something they will do it eventually if the opportunity is available.
No ****.
Iowa forums have to be the most negative places in the entire multiverse.
Exactly. Pro success often does not transfer well to college. How many NBA coaches have gone on to win national titles in college?
Boy, to hear the gang on SiriusXM College Sports tell it, Ben McCollum was all but there for the taking.
Pitino was, even earlier, at Providence, then went to the Knicks, back in 1987, I believe.
Evidently, malone has close relationship with Jokers agent, who is the super-agent connected to the illini balkan 5 and who handles much of euro talent flooding into the USA.
So, look for unc to compete with illini for euro players.
So, look for unc to compete with illini for euro players.
There are currently eight active college coaches who have won a title. Two of them coached in the NBA. So what about the 354 current coaches who haven’t won?
Lon Kruger ... good college coach at Kansas State (Elite 8), Florida (Final 4) and Illinois, then tried the NBA (Atlanta Hawks) and wasn't great, returned to college at UNLV (Sweet 16) and Oklahoma (Final 4).
Big surprise, I can't believe he didn't wait for a decent NBA job given that's where he's spent his career.
But like some others have said, the recruiting is probably all his assistant coaches and UNC is a big enough brand they can pick their roster every year.
I'll be surprised if he's not back in the NBA 3-4 years though
But like some others have said, the recruiting is probably all his assistant coaches and UNC is a big enough brand they can pick their roster every year.
I'll be surprised if he's not back in the NBA 3-4 years though