The 2026 college basketball coaching carousel was absolutely bonkers, bringing a whopping 13 changes to the high-major ranks. But nothing was wilder than North Carolina shaking up the entire sport, replacing Hubert Davis with former NBA championship head coach Mike Malone. Yeah, *that* Mike Malone, who was just fired by the Nuggets and sat out the 2025-26 season. Talk about an unconventional hire for a program that usually cherishes its “Carolina family” connections!
The Coaching Carousel Just Keeps Spinning
This year was a whirlwind, no doubt. We saw Dusty May ditch Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks, a true late-cycle shocker. Michigan, now mounting its national title defense, promoted Mike Boynton on a two-year contract to take over. That was the only Big Ten change, but the ACC was on fire with five jobs changing hands. Beyond Malone landing at UNC, we also saw rival NC State turn to a beloved former player, Justin Gainey, to replace Will Wade. And get this: Will Wade, after just one season in Raleigh, bounced back to LSU, returning to the Tigers four years after they fired him under a cloud of NCAA scrutiny. It’s pure high-major coaching drama, and it never gets dull, does it? The 2026-27 season is creeping up, and everyone is already buzzing about how these massive moves will play out.
Who’s Really Built for the Long Haul?
Forget about just next season, because the real question is who’s gonna shine brightest over the long haul. Our experts are already sizing up which first-year coaches will build a lasting legacy at their new schools. The key isn’t just winning immediately, it’s finding that perfect “marriage” with the program that sticks for nine or ten years. And if you ask Matt Norlander, the name to watch is Alan Huss at Creighton. Huss, at 47 years old, walked away from a plum job at High Point, where he’d already taken the Panthers to the NCAA Tournament. Why? To go back to Omaha, where he used to be an assistant under Greg McDermott, and step into the coach-in-waiting role. He knows that program inside and out, he’s a smart coach, and he’s got a long leash to keep building on what McDermott started. Plus, Creighton’s got a killer fanbase, a top-25 arena environment, and the resources to consistently compete. It sounds like a formula for long-term success.
So, as we head into a new season, you gotta wonder: will Malone’s bold, outside-the-box hire pay off big for UNC, or will Huss quietly build a dynasty at Creighton? Either way, the stakes for these new coaches couldn’t be higher for their careers and the future of college hoops. Get ready, because it’s going to be fascinating to watch this unfold for years to come.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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