2026 Coaching Carousel

[MuMark]

Todd Golden is the favorite at Draft Kings.
Kalshi has TJO #1, Billy Donovan #2.

I could be wrong but it's just hard for me to envision Donovan going back to college coaching after so many years away.......especially at his age.

It should be interesting...........established successful high major coaches weren't exactly beating down the door in recent years at Kentucky, Louisville etc......,

[MU82]

Norlander also mentioned Dusty May and Tommy Lloyd.  Like Golden, I'm not sure UNC is that much better as a job other than history.

If I were May or Lloyd, I'd have my agent suggest to Michigan/Arizona that UNC is coming after me and use it to get a nice raise. But there's really no reason to leave Michigan or Arizona for UNC.

[Uncle Rico]

If I were May or Lloyd, I'd have my agent suggest to Michigan/Arizona that UNC is coming after me and use it to get a nice raise. But there's really no reason to leave Michigan or Arizona for UNC.

You never know what is happening behind the scenes at any of these places to make a coaches eyes wander but I agree.

[MuMark]

Hubert not trying to sugar coat it........

https://x.com/unc_zone/status/2036612640017961014?s=61

[WhiteTrash]

I could be wrong but it's just hard for me to envision Donovan going back to college coaching after so many years away.......especially at his age.

It should be interesting...........established successful high major coaches weren't exactly beating down the door in recent years at Kentucky, Louisville etc......,

As for Donovan, there are more rumblings (today's SunTimes) that he is not thrilled with Bull's VP Karnisovas and/or vise-versa. I'm not convinced that he is employable in another HC role in the NBA, so UNC could be a great landing spot with a similar salary. And, I suspect that UNC has or will get a GM to make the job more attractive.

[Nukem2]

Hard to see Donovan going back to the college scene and all nonsense with revenue sharing, nil and portal to go along with the normal issues. At 63, I suspect he has socked away far more money than anyone needs to live rather well.

[Jay Bee]

At 63, I suspect he has socked away far more money than anyone needs to live rather well.

Who's 63??

I can't believe how old everyone is getting. smh

[Biggie Clausen]

It's funny to see Iowa State fans trying to rationalize why TJO might stay.  "He has so many ties to the program!  His wife's jersey is literally hanging in the rafters!"  Like any of that would stop him from leaving for a job that would put him at the very top of his profession and pay him more money.

[WhiteTrash]

Hard to see Donovan going back to the college scene and all nonsense with revenue sharing, nil and portal to go along with the normal issues. At 63, I suspect he has socked away far more money than anyone needs to live rather well.

Maybe so, but if he's not motivated by money, why is he still with the Bulls? He generally looks worn out and never gets excited about his teams in Chicago. He gives off the "I'm just here for a paycheck" vibe. Maybe the Bulls sucked the love of basketball out of him, which would make for a bad hire at UNC.

Either way, it appears that it is a very long shot he's the Bulls coach for more than one more year. Maybe retirement is the goal that he gets with one year's salary as a pension.

Personally, he seems like a nice guy and I'd like to see him take another shot at being a winner and UNC could be the ticket.

[MU82]

No wonder Hubert failed: He lives by ORE!

Opportunity, relationships, experiences.

[The Sultan]

Hubert not trying to sugar coat it........

https://x.com/unc_zone/status/2036612640017961014?s=61

Gotta wonder what level he gets hired. Because his coaching wasn't stellar.

[willie warrior]

It's funny to see Iowa State fans trying to rationalize why TJO might stay.  "He has so many ties to the program!  His wife's jersey is literally hanging in the rafters!"  Like any of that would stop him from leaving for a job that would put him at the very top of his profession and pay him more money.

Iowa State will come up with the cash to keep him. He is rolling there and they would be foolish not to keep him.
Not to say some other programs will also offer him huge zoides. He definitely is ensconced in the driver's seat.

[The Sultan]

Iowa State will come up with the cash to keep him. He is rolling there and they would be foolish not to keep him.
Not to say some other programs will also offer him huge zoides. He definitely is ensconced in the driver's seat.

Iowa State is relatively poor though. Plus the more you are paying the coach the less you have for NIL.

[brewcity77]

Iowa State will come up with the cash to keep him. He is rolling there and they would be foolish not to keep him.

There was talk months ago that he'd be leaving this offseason because Iowa State doesn't have the NIL to keep up. Entirely possible they can't come up with the cash to keep him.

[Hards Alumni]

Iowa State will come up with the cash to keep him. He is rolling there and they would be foolish not to keep him.
Not to say some other programs will also offer him huge zoides. He definitely is ensconced in the driver's seat.

Let's put some cash on it if you're so sure, little willie.

[Uncle Rico]

Iowa State is relatively poor though. Plus the more you are paying the coach the less you have for NIL.

Willie is good at spending other people's money.  Does he donate to his preferred program?  Absolutely not, but he is always sure the money is there.

[The Sultan]

Willie is good at spending other people's money.  Does he donate to his preferred program?  Absolutely not, but he is always sure the money is there.

Give willie a break. His old lady keeps him down and gives him a $25 a month allowance. He can't send that all to Marquette.

[swoopem]

If UNC gets Billy D and then Scheyer goes to the Bulls that's a double win for them

No clue if Scheyer would go to the Bulls but I bet he'd be considered

[MuggsyB]

I know it's not among the popular choices, and they got thumped in the tournament, but I really like Grant McCasland.  That team was primed for a deep run before Toppin went down.  He develops players and is a really good coach.  Maybe he doesn't leave  the state of Texas but I don't think T.J., May, Lloyd, or Golden are necessarily better fits.  Stevens is an interesting thought as well.  If you're Carolina you also give Jay Wright a call.  He likely passes but you just never know. 

[MuggsyB]

If UNC offers T.J. the job there's a 0% chance Iowa St. keeps him. 

[Hards Alumni]

I know it's not among the popular choices, and they got thumped in the tournament, but I really like Grant McCasland.  That team was primed for a deep run before Toppin went down.  He develops players and is a really good coach.  Maybe he doesn't leave  the state of Texas but I don't think T.J., May, Lloyd, or Golden are necessarily better fits.  Stevens is an interesting thought as well.  If you're Carolina you also give Jay Wright a call.  He likely passes but you just never know. 

Brad Stevens isn't happening.  Jay Wright isn't happening.

If Sean Miller becomes interested in UNC and Texas opens, Grant would slot in perfectly at Texas.

[Uncle Rico]

I know it's not among the popular choices, and they got thumped in the tournament, but I really like Grant McCasland.  That team was primed for a deep run before Toppin went down.  He develops players and is a really good coach.  Maybe he doesn't leave  the state of Texas but I don't think T.J., May, Lloyd, or Golden are necessarily better fits.  Stevens is an interesting thought as well.  If you're Carolina you also give Jay Wright a call.  He likely passes but you just never know. 

McCasland is a really good coach.  But Tech has a lot of money flowing in right now.  Not saying it's a better job but it's not the job it was 15 years ago

[Tarragona]

For fun, I think Lloyd says no and UNC ends up with TJ. Wade to LSU. Gainey to NC State. Would have to think about Iowa State. Last cycle for them they considered Craig Smith.

[Uncle Rico]

For fun, I think Lloyd says no and UNC ends up with TJ. Wade to LSU. Gainey to NC State. Would have to think about Iowa State. Last cycle for them they considered Craig Smith.

They'd get Josh Schertz. 

[Tarragona]

They'd get Josh Schertz. 

I think you have me confused with Billy Hoyle. He's the SLU alum here.