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The UNC basketball program has named its replacement for the legendary Roy Williams.
On Monday, the Tar Heels announced that Hubert Davis will be taking over as head coach after serving as an assistant coach under Williams since 2012.
Davis is also a UNC alum, starring for the Tar Heels under another legendary coach, Dean Smith, from 1988-1992. It is a historic moment for the Tar Heels as Davis becomes the first Black head coach in team history.
“I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this program,” Davis said in a statement from the university. “I would not be here without Coach Dean Smith, Coach Bill Guthridge and Coach Roy Williams; they taught me so much – and I’m eager to walk their path in my shoes and with my personality. I also would not be here without Chancellor Guskiewicz and Bubba Cunningham. I appreciate their faith in me and I look forward to working closely with them.
“I love this University. I played here, I earned my degree here, I fell in love with my wife here, I got married here, I moved here after I retired from the NBA and I have raised my family here. I am proud to lead this team, and I can’t wait for all that comes next.”
Hubert Davis: "I'm 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 of being your new men's basketball coach for the University of North Carolina."#CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/Lev1CwyTQD
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) April 5, 2021
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham added, “Hubert Davis is the best leader we can possibly have for our men’s basketball program.
“He teaches student-athletes on and off the court. He inspires his fellow staff members. He is strongly committed to family. He has a tenacious, burning desire to be the best he can possibly be; we witnessed that when he was a player, a broadcaster and an assistant coach – and I have no doubt he will ensure than our student-athletes and program will be the best they can be, as well.”
Williams, one of the best college basketball coaches of all time, retired after 33 seasons and 903 wins. Williams said the past year has taken its toll on him and he was not enjoying coaching like he used to.
This past season, the Tar Heels finished with an 18-11 record and were bounced in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament by Wisconsin.
Now, it’s time for the Hubert Davis era in Chapel Hill.
