NCAA BASKETBALL: Hubert Davis fired as North Carolina coach

North Carolina has fired head coach Hubert Davis following a first-round collapse in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night.

"We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach, and community leader — he has helped make special memories we will never forget," said North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham. "This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."

Davis responded in a statement, saying, "Tonight I was let go by the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. ... My goal is to coach again in the very near future."

Davis, who played for the program from 1988-92 and served as an assistant coach from 2012-21, is reportedly owed $5.3 million on the remaining portion of his contract.

The eighth-seeded Tar Heels led 11th-seeded VCU by 19 points in the second half on Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina, before the Rams rallied for an 82-78 overtime victory. The loss left North Carolina with a 24-9 record for the season. The Tar Heels tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 12-6 mark, including a 71-68 home win over rival Duke on Feb. 7.

This marks the second consecutive year North Carolina has bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 64. In 2025, the Tar Heels defeated San Diego State in the First Four before falling to sixth-seeded Ole Miss 71-64.

Davis’ best results came in his first season as head coach, following Roy Williams’ retirement. The Tar Heels went 29-10 in 2021-22, reaching the NCAA championship game before losing to Kansas. North Carolina missed the NCAA field the following year, then reached the Sweet 16 in 2024.

Overall, Davis posted a 125-54 record, including 68-30 in ACC play, during his tenure at his alma mater.

—Field Level Media/Reuters