Championship-winning coach Michael Malone reveals his surprising pivot from NBA glory to college basketball's hallowed halls. He explains why UNC was his ultimate calling.
For most basketball coaches, the NBA is the pinnacle of the sport.
Head coach Billy Donovan left Florida after winning two national championships to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Brad Stevens left Butler to join the Boston Celtics.
Some former NBA coaches have re-joined the college ranks. Rick Pitino coached the New York Knicks before becoming the head coach of Kentucky.
Michael Malone did something different entirely.
Malone has been an assistant at the college level, but has only been a head coach in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets. (He won the NBA championship in 2023 with the Nuggets.)
Multiple teams were reportedly interested in hiring Malone this spring, but he chose to come to North Carolina to coach one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball.
During his introductory news conference on Tuesday, Malone explained his decision to leave the NBA for the Tar Heels.
"Really thankful for this opportunity," Malone said, via ESPN. "I do not take it lightly. And people keep asking me, 'Coach, why would you leave a chance of coaching in the NBA? You're an NBA coach.' We won a championship in Denver in 2023.
"It wasn't an easy decision, but what I kept thinking about was, I had a chance to be a part of something special, the history and tradition. Be a part of something much bigger than myself. This was the only college job I ever considered. Any other job, I wouldn't even answer the phone."
UNC has won six national titles in its history. Given its power, North Carolina is one of a handful of schools that would draw interest from NBA coaches.
Kentucky and Duke would be examples of other programs that could steal a big-name coach from the NBA.
It remains to be seen how Malone will do at the college level. Unlike in the NBA, Malone will have to work on fundraising and recruiting for North Carolina. It's one of the most important parts of the job.
Malone is a good coach and should help his players develop. But to win the NCAA Tournament, UNC will need some of the best talent in the nation.