UNC Gets Good News Amid Coaching Search

With Dusty May's Michigan and Tommy Lloyd's Arizona in the Final Four this weekend, the North Carolina Tar Heels national coaching search is in kind of a lull this week.

Outside of May and Lloyd, UNC has been connected to Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, still in the NBA's regular season. There hasn't been much traction with Todd Golden of Florida.

The Tar Heels have the best job open in college basketball this spring, though there was a worry that Bill Self could retire at Kansas, opening up big competition for UNC to land an elite head coach.

On Wednesday, UNC received some good news on that front, as Self released a statement announcing that he would return to coach the Jayhawks for the 2026-27 season.

"With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a National Championship," Self said in a statement.

"I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse."

Lloyd appeared to be a coach that would entertain offers from Kansas and UNC. With Kansas out, the Tar Heels have a good chance to land the rising basketball mind.

Earlier this week, Lloyd suggested Arizona would be in a good place if he left the program.

"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."

The Tar Heels have a few days to wait for Lloyd to become available to interview. Arizona will play Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday. The winner will play in the national championship on Monday night. 

Then it's time for UNC to poach.