The conversation around who should replace Hubert Davis at North Carolina has reportedly shifted away from internal or former options, as the Tar Heels are expected to show interest in coaches from across the country, whether in the NBA or in current college.
Rather than looking for a familiar name tied to the Carolina tree, Chris Walker named John Calipari as the man for the job. On the surface, if it's possible, having somebody like Calipari in North Carolina would be an absolute home run. Unfortunately, the chances of him leaving Arkansas don't seem very likely.
“Carolina, you want to win? Go hire John Calipari,” Walker said during a CBS Sports segment. “If you wanted to become what it used to be…
“Go hire John Calipari and watch what happens. Forget about all the stuff that you think comes with him. You bring that guy there, the world changes. Forget about NIL, forget about any of that stuff. He’s the one guy that transcends everything.”
In today’s college basketball landscape, NIL, recruiting, and roster decisions dominate the conversation. However, Walker is essentially saying that Calipari is above all of that. His reputation alone can attract talent, fix a program, and make North Carolina what North Carolina should and used to be. Again, I don't disagree with any of that stuff, but it's a lot easier said than done.
At the end of the day, money speaks when it comes to this stuff. If North Carolina goes in with a ridiculous offer and tells him that he has all the NIL money in the world to get something done, anything is quite literally possible in this era.
Another name recently linked to UNC was Dusty May of Michigan. These are great options, but likely unrealistic.
“UNC needs a no-nonsense basketball coach who’ll restore the program to such an elite status that you (mostly) forget all about the embarrassment of Bill Belichick and Tar Heels football.
“Well, May has experience in that arena. May and his basketball team are something fresh, something redeemable, for Michigan after the stench of Jim Harbaugh and Connor Stalions and Wolverines football cheating their way to glory,” Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY wrote.