Sports

Hubert Davis Radio Show Abruptly Postponed As North Carolina AD Refuses To Confirm Likely Firing

#North Carolina Tar Heels
by Last Updated
North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis during a game.

© Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Uncertainty currently surrounds the future of North Carolina basketball following a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Will Hubert Davis be fired?

The head coach’s status with the Tar Heels is in flux. While many believe a move is imminent, the athletic director refuses to confirm the suspicions.

Will the program be searching for a replacement this offseason? Bubba Cunningham won’t say.

Hubert Davis’s seat is hot.

The coach has been a part of the program for 20 years. Following a storied career as a player, he spent 10 years on staff as an assistant for Roy Williams.

After Williams’ retirement, he was thrust into the head coaching role. Some speculate that it was a job he never wanted.

Across five seasons, results have been inconsistent. The Tar Heels made the national title game in his debut. They’ve struggled to maintain success in the years to follow.

North Carolina missed the NCAA Tournament in Year 2. They made the Sweet 16 in 2024 before barely making the field in 2025.

This year, the Heels were safely in. They ran into some bad luck with a season-ending injury to top player Caleb Wilson. Still, they seemed destined to advance to the Round of 32 with a win in their March Madness opener.

North Carolina built a 19-point second half lead over 11-seed VCU. It then collapsed to lose in overtime. That result, combined with last year’s Round of 64 exit, has the fanbase calling for Davis’s job.

Is North Carolina going to fire its basketball coach?

It’s been a storyline over the last few days. The abrupt postponement of his final radio show only fueled the fire.

Most programs would gladly take four NCAA Tournament appearances in five years, especially one that ended three points away from a national title. North Carolina is not most basketball programs.

The expectations are higher. They want to compete for championships on a yearly basis. Hubert Davis has not done that.

Much like we saw with John Calipari at Kentucky, early postseason exits can be a death sentence. The overwhelming feeling is that Davis won’t be on the sidelines in 2026.

While most believe that Davis will be paid $5 million to leave Chapel Hill, no confirmation has been provided. Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 has been in communication with athletic director Bubba Cunningham. The administrator will not show his hand.

Goodman received this text from Cunningham after the Tar Heels’ latest loss.

“Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve. The Chancellor, Steve and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days.”

-Bubba Cunningham via Jeff Goodman

Cunningham’s answer is nothing more than a PR response. There are reasons as to why he wouldn’t make an announcement now, even if a firing is imminent.

North Carolina could want to have a replacement in its crosshairs before making the move. Given the program’s high profile, that could involve communicating with head coaches of teams that are still competing in the NCAA Tournament.

The school could also take into consideration the adversity faced in the form of injuries as it pertains to this season. That would play into Davis’s favor should he still want the job.

There is no reason to rush. With that said, each day that passes provides a bit more angst for those demanding a change.

For now, Hubert Davis remains the head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina. We should soon have clarity on his future in Chapel Hill.