Top candidate turned down UNC head coaching job: Report

No one can accuse the North Carolina Tar Heels of not aiming big in trying to find a successor to recently fired head coach Hubert Davis.

On Tuesday, the school parted ways with Davis, who went 125-54 in five seasons in Chape Hill with four NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16 appearances, and one national title game appearance.

“This opportunity has truly been such a blessing,” Davis said in the statement. “I thank Jesus literally every day for giving me the opportunity, relationships and experiences with the kids and my staff. I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together. My goal is to coach again in the very near future.”

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The Tar Heels were expected to move quickly to hire Davis’ successor, but one of the candidates at the top of their list has already informed the school he has no interest in the job.

According to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations and de facto general manager Brad Stevens made it known he did not have a desire to return to coaching.

“Less than 12 hours after news broke that North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday night, an expected but notable bit of clarity to the university’s coaching search has already been communicated: Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has removed his name from consideration for the Tar Heels job, sources told CBS Sports,” Norlander wrote.

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Though brief, Stevens’ college coaching resume is as good as you’ll find.

He compiled a 166-49 record at Butler with five NCAA Tournament appearances, two national championship runner-up finishes, three Horizon League Tournament championships, four Horizon League regular-season championships, and two Horizon League Coach of the Year awards.

With Stevens out, UNC is expected to start speaking with other candidates — a group that likely includes Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, Michigan head coach Dusty May, Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger, and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, who won two NCAA Tournament national titles as the head coach at Florida.

“Unlike Stevens, (Donovan) would be willing to at least consider the opportunity at UNC if the school comes calling,” Norlander added.