2026 Coaching Carousel

[Uncle Rico]

Good catch! I would think TJO would need to ask Matt Campbell to recommend an Ames area realtor if Arizona came open. That's an elite job.

TJO is waiting for the Marquette job to open

[onepost]

Assistant Coach job posting on the Marquette site.
I'd imagine that means Nevada landed the Siena job.

[JWags85]

If it ends up being Lloyd to UNC, what a crazy 5 year career trajectory change.  Spends his entire life/career in southern/southeastern Washington (outside of an outlier year playing at CSU-Pueblo).  Spends his entire 20 year coaching career as an assistant to Few at Gonzaga.  Slated as the coach in waiting in Spokane.  Start of 2021 seems like he'd be a Gonzaga lifer as long as he was successful.  Then 5 years later, left Spokane, makes 3 S16s, a Final Four, and potentially taking one of the 5 most historically prestigious jobs in the sport.  Wild

[wadesworld]

If I'm UNC, I would have no qualms about bringing in Donovan despite his time away from the college game. Historically speaking, guys who went from college to the pros then back to college have done pretty well upon their return (thinking Pitino, Hoiberg, Calipari, Kruger, Larry Brown, even Leonard Hamilton). And Donovan doesn't seem like a guy who would struggle with the new dynamics of college sports. He's not some crotchety old-school guy.

People would be glazing UNC if they pulled Brad Stevens out of Boston, even though he's been away from the college game longer than Donovan and out of coaching entirely for five.

Yup.  And even if Donovan knew he wanted to leave for UNC and had their offer on the table, I'd assume he'd still finish out the NBA season.  So they could be waiting on any of Lloyd, May, or Donovan.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Yup.  And even if Donovan knew he wanted to leave for UNC and had their offer on the table, I'd assume he'd still finish out the NBA season.  So they could be waiting on any of Lloyd, May, or Donovan.

Why?  Bulls aren't playing for anything.

[wadesworld]

Why?  Bulls aren't playing for anything.

There are paychecks to collect.  And you don't burn bridges.

[Pakuni]

Why?  Bulls aren't playing for anything.

Well for one, he's under contract, having just been extended last summer. He can't exactly walk away. Nor would the Bulls likely allow him to walk away without some kind of buyout.

[Tarragona]

At the very least it seems to be a clear top 3.

After that it gets interesting as they might skip over Oates and Golden and go to McCasland. I would think Kansas would be more of a fit for McCollum. Even though some say extensions don't matter, I don't see Byington signing one and going there a few weeks later.

But it doesn't seem like it is going to get past the first 3.

If it is Lloyd, the Arizona AD is the same one that hired TJO at UNLV. That may or may not matter.

Just to follow up regarding Byington. He just hired the Associate HC at Ohio State (formerly 7 years with Calipari at Kentucky, both are UNCW alums) Joel Justus. This is after recently signing a lucrative extension. They have very good 8 figure roster money. It doesn't sound like someone that is going anywhere.

The new or recent Vandy has athletics money besides other money. They decided to go for it in Athletics with the current Chancellor and AD.  $700 million worth of Athletics facility projects alone. (football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, golf, tennis) They added a sport (Volleyball), and they have a $50 million campaign for Women's sports only.

They just opened the 3 story Huber Center Basketball building, 90,000 square feet.

https://vucommodores.com/hubercenter/

[Uncle Rico]

Just to follow up regarding Byington. He just hired the Associate HC at Ohio State (formerly 7 years with Calipari at Kentucky, both are UNCW alums) Joel Justus. This is after recently signing a lucrative extension. They have very good 8 figure roster money. It doesn't sound like someone that is going anywhere.

The new or recent Vandy has athletics money besides other money. They decided to go for it in Athletics with the current Chancellor and AD.  $700 million worth of Athletics facility projects alone. (football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, golf, tennis) They added a sport (Volleyball), and they have a $50 million campaign for Women's sports only.

They just opened the 3 story Huber Center Basketball building, 90,000 square feet.

https://vucommodores.com/hubercenter/

Justus will have an inside track on the gig when Byington leaves in the next year or so

[MuggsyB]

Well, UNC hired a 106-year-old football coach who had never coached in college. So I guess I'm not surprised they're interested in a 61-year-old guy going through the motions in the NBA who hasn't coached in college for more than a decade - when the landscape was nothing like it is now.

I'd be more surprised if Donovan actually were interested in getting back into the rat race at this stage, but then again Thad Matta was ...

And I'd be REALLY surprised if Lloyd or May left pat situations.

Ya...I'd be absolutely shocked if Lloyd left Zona.  Dusty May?  I honestly don't know. 

[The Sultan]

Ya...I'd be absolutely shocked if Lloyd left Zona.  Dusty May?  I honestly don't know. 

Unless he just doesn't like it there, all things being equal, Michigan is the better job.

[MuggsyB]

Unless he just doesn't like it there, all things being equal, Michigan is the better job.

Personally, I'd prefer to live in North Carolina.

[WhiteTrash]

Well for one, he's under contract, having just been extended last summer. He can't exactly walk away. Nor would the Bulls likely allow him to walk away without some kind of buyout.

I believe that is all true, but it would not surprise me if the buyout was less than any other canidate.

Also, unless I missed it (very possible), the Bulls didn't announce any of the terms of the extension, but the prevailing thought is he and AK are under contract only one or two more years.

[Viper]

Unless he just doesn't like it there, all things being equal, Michigan is the better job.

BIG aside, why is UM the better job?

[The Sultan]

BIG aside, why is UM the better job?

I mean its a better job than Arizona, but I think it might be a better job than UNC as well. And you can't just say "BIG aside." The money that Big Ten schools get makes it easier to be more competitive. There is a reason the conference has won three straight football titles (with three different schools), and has half the Final Four and half the Frozen Four. Money matters.

Outside of tradition, what exactly does UNC have that Michigan doesn't? And it's not as though Michigan is without basketball tradition either.

[Pakuni]

I mean its a better job than Arizona, but I think it might be a better job than UNC as well. And you can't just say "BIG aside." The money that Big Ten schools get makes it easier to be more competitive. There is a reason the conference has won three straight football titles (with three different schools), and has half the Final Four and half the Frozen Four. Money matters.

Outside of tradition, what exactly does UNC have that Michigan doesn't? And it's not as though Michigan is without basketball tradition either.

Outside of tradition doesn't seem all that different than "outside of BIG." Tradition isn't just some abstract concept. It translates into institutional support. UNC cares about basketball way more than, say, Clemson, and that means the university and athletic department is going to direct more resources to it. Basketball will always play second fiddle at Michigan, and is probably closer to the hockey program in terms of importance to the university community than it is the football program.
This doesn't mean that tradition guarantees success or that lack of tradition prevents it. But the same can be said for money.

As for UNC vs Michigan, a fair argument can be made either way, I suppose. But one thing UNC has that Michigan doesn't is being the flagship program for Jordan Brand. Michigan also has a huge deal with Nike, so I'm not sure there's much, if any, difference in $$, but UNC gets tons of exposure through JB's socials and other media presence.

[Uncle Rico]

Outside of tradition doesn't seem all that different than "outside of BIG." Tradition isn't just some abstract concept. It translates into institutional support. UNC cares about basketball way more than, say, Clemson, and that means the university and athletic department is going to direct more resources to it. Basketball will always play second fiddle at Michigan, and is probably closer to the hockey program in terms of importance to the university community than it is the football program.
This doesn't mean that tradition guarantees success or that lack of tradition prevents it. But the same can be said for money.

As for UNC vs Michigan, a fair argument can be made either way, I suppose. But one thing UNC has that Michigan doesn't is being the flagship program for Jordan Brand. Michigan also has a huge deal with Nike, so I'm not sure there's much, if any, difference in $$, but UNC gets tons of exposure through JB's socials and other media presence.

Nobody has more money than Michigan

[Pakuni]

Nobody has more money than Michigan

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/cnbc-official-college-sports-valuations-2025-top-75-athletic-programs.html

[Jay Bee]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/cnbc-official-college-sports-valuations-2025-top-75-athletic-programs.html

Yay! Made up nonsense!

[Pakuni]

Yay! Made up nonsense!

Feel free to point out the errors!

[The Sultan]

Outside of tradition doesn't seem all that different than "outside of BIG." Tradition isn't just some abstract concept. It translates into institutional support. UNC cares about basketball way more than, say, Clemson, and that means the university and athletic department is going to direct more resources to it. Basketball will always play second fiddle at Michigan, and is probably closer to the hockey program in terms of importance to the university community than it is the football program.
This doesn't mean that tradition guarantees success or that lack of tradition prevents it. But the same can be said for money.

Is there any evidence that basketball plays "second fiddle" to football in any meaningful way? It seems like there are plenty of resources available to the basketball program and that fans care quite a bit about basketball.

A fanbase can care about two different sports. Even three different sports! As long as the resources are there, why does it matter?

[brewcity77]

I mean its a better job than Arizona, but I think it might be a better job than UNC as well. And you can't just say "BIG aside." The money that Big Ten schools get makes it easier to be more competitive. There is a reason the conference has won three straight football titles (with three different schools), and has half the Final Four and half the Frozen Four. Money matters.

Outside of tradition, what exactly does UNC have that Michigan doesn't? And it's not as though Michigan is without basketball tradition either.

Basketball will always be first. It will never be first at Michigan. There's also a double edged sword to the Big 10 of it all. In the ACC, a quality UNC program will really only have 1-2 other teams that might be on their level. In the Big 10, you could have a great team and still be fifth or sixth in the league. (See sixth place Purdue this year)

[Pakuni]

Is there any evidence that basketball plays "second fiddle" to football in any meaningful way? It seems like there are plenty of resources available to the basketball program and that fans care quite a bit about basketball.

What are you considering "meaningful" here?
We can start with financial support. Michigan directs about 75% of its revenue-sharing funds to football, with the rest divided among other sports (though presumably a majority of the rest going to hoops).

Football sells out a 107,000-seat stadium - with attendance usually above capacity - while basketball doesn't sell out every game in a 12,700-seat arena.

They just gave Kyle Whittingham $8.2 million to coach the football team. Dusty May makes $5.1 million.
Are these things meaningful?

A fanbase can care about two different sports. Even three different sports! As long as the resources are there, why does it matter?

I didn't say anything contrary to this.
Saying Chicago is a Bears town doesn't mean people don't care about the Cubs.

[The Sultan]

Basketball will always be first. It will never be first at Michigan.

Why does that matter though?

[brewcity77]

Why does that matter though?

For some individuals, it won't. For others, it will and may be a big deal. If you want to be the BMOC, you can't do that if your job isn't perceived as the most important one on campus. Plenty of coaches seem to relish not being in that limelight while others need it. But acting like it's inconsequential is a bit silly, IMO.