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Negative headlines are nothing new to Stephen A. Smith. In fact, he’s made a comfortable the living off of them in the entertainment industry. The ESPN host rakes in millions to give his opinions to anyone that will listen.
He did so again as it relates to the North Carolina basketball coaching search. He is now a joke.
The Tar Heels have officially parted ways with Hubert Davis. One of the sport’s top jobs is now open. Smith believes the school should contact a former player.
Kenny Smith for North Carolina basketball.
It’s a campaign that Stephen A. has launched in the past. The first time around, Hubert Davis was hired instead. With the old coach out, Smith making a second pitch.
“Knowing North Carolina, they’re looking internally first. … I believe that Kenny “The Jet” Smith is that dude.”
—@stephenasmith on his pick for the next UNC men’s basketball head coach 👀 pic.twitter.com/G4s4MS6DNm
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 25, 2026
“Knowing North Carolina, they will look internally first, that’s what I’ve always been taught about Tar Heel Nation. They’re hiring internally, they ain’t looking at people outside,” Stephen A. Smith said on First Take. “But to me, (if they do look outside the UNC family) don’t do it until you’re 100-percent sure that Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is not available…
“Make sure that he has no desire whatsoever to be the next coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. If he wants that job… you don’t even think about it, you don’t even think about interviewing another coach. You hire Kenny Smith.
“The man is brilliant at the game of basketball… He’s a savant in that regard. But most importantly, I believe Kenny Smith can recruit. He’s very, very connected to youth basketball… A lot of athletes know him… and I believe he will compete with (Duke head coach Jon) Scheyer in recruiting…
“I believe that Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is that dude.”
There are a number of issues with that statement. Like Davis, Kenny Smith has zero college basketball head coaching experience. That is not ideal for a blue blood program looking to avoid reliving past mistakes.
Davis, though, was at least an assistant on Roy Williams’ previous staffs. Smith has been in television for the better part of three decades. He is far removed from the sidelines.
Secondly, all indications point to an outside hire. Stephen A. is correct in his assessment that UNC likes coaches with a link to the program. They are expected to buck that trend this time around.
For the first time in their history, the Tar Heels have no apparent “in the family” hire ready to inherit it. One of the Cadillacs of college hoops is set to cast a truly national search for its next head coach.
Thirdly, both Smiths work for the same company. ESPN acquired Inside the NBA in 2024. It’s final episode on TNT ran in May of 2025.
Smith’s recommendation for the highest-profile job in college basketball received attention on social media. He has become a laughingstock.
Stephen A. Smith is a joke.
Viewers have mocked about his hot takes for years. This time, they all made the same joke.
“If you’re going to be wrong, be as wrong as possible and say it with your chest,” wrote Kyle Tucker of 247 Sports.
“His ability to speak with such confidence about subjects he’s completely clueless about is incredible,” echoed another follower.
“If you are going to be wrong, do it with unwarranted, unwavering confidence.”
— Stephen A Smith, probably
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) March 25, 2026
Smith has been in sports journalism for some time. I’m sure he’s had a good take on the subject matter in the past.
Recommending a TV colleague with no experience for the biggest job in college basketball was not one of them.