UNC's hopes fade as Tommy Lloyd inks massive Arizona deal. Fans flood social media with reactions to the stunning contract news.
For a little more than a week, North Carolina appeared to be ready to scoop up Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd after the Wildcats were finished with the NCAA Tournament.
Before the Final Four against Michigan on Saturday, Lloyd told reporters that sun might be setting on his time with Arizona.
"You know, the sun may be shining on this team and me coaching it right now, but when it’s shining on you, you got to fight to protect it and build it," Lloyd said.
"So that’s what I feel like my number one responsibility is, to fight to protect the program and fight to build it for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me, because you know what, Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you. The place is special."
On Friday, the sun set on the Tar Heels hopes of landing Lloyd to replace Hubert Davis.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Lloyd signed a new deal with Arizona for five years that will pay him nearly $7.5 million annually, making him one of the top five paid coaches in college basketball.
"Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd has agreed to a new deal with the school, he announced.
"Arizona’s new five-year deal with Lloyd will make him one of the five highest paid coaches in college basketball, per me and (Jeff Borzello)," Thamel noted on X.
What a Good Friday for Lloyd.
College basketball fans and Tar Heels fans are strong reactions to the news on Friday.
"Good thing I have Good Friday off cuz now I have to go through all the bookmarked UNC tweets and laugh at them," posted a fan.
"So Billy Donovan or bust for UNC. I’ve long thought several would pass it up and it could end up with a Scott Drew type," wrote a fan who thinks UNC will go after the Chicago Bulls head coach.
"Well this crushed the North Carolina rumors. Good for Tommy and Arizona, we’ll see if they can make a run for the Natty," posted another.
"Unc is striking out this cycle holy smokes," believes a poster.
"Obviously, Tommy Lloyd agreeing to stay at Arizona is a huge turn in the UNC coaching search," wrote another.
Billy Donovan remains heavily in the mix... and don't be surprised if the Tar Heels pivot harder to Michigan's Dusty May in the coming days, too, especially if Michigan loses tomorrow."