If college basketball were only a game of one half, there probably wouldn’t be much conversation this week about the status of Hubert Davis’ job as the North Carolina Tar Heels’ head coach.
However, after blowing a 19-point second-half lead against the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament — only to lose in overtime — UNC has now been bounced in the first round for three straight years. Davis’ future beyond his five seasons in Chapel Hill is undoubtedly in question.
While no final decision has been made, speculation about potential replacements is already swirling. Some of the top names being mentioned include Dan Hurley of UConn, Todd Golden of Florida, and Nate Oats of Alabama, though all currently appear to be long shots.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, however, believes North Carolina should hire former UNC basketball legend and current NBA and March Madness analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith, citing the program’s tradition of staying within t”he family” for staff hires.
“Rasheed Wallace told me years ago: never think about North Carolina going outside the family, and he’s been right,” Smith said. “I’m telling you this right now — Kenny Smith. There’s no way in my opinion that [Jon] Scheyer has had the top recruiting in four of his five years at Duke if Kenny Smith were at North Carolina. Somebody coming to North Carolina if Kenny Smith is the head coach… I believe that Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith, you put him in North Carolina, the eyes of the basketball world would be on Duke–North Carolina.”
Fans weren’t exactly on board with Stephen A. Smith’s opinion, pointing out that he has no prior coaching experience at the collegiate or NBA levels — a factor that has often contributed to former players struggling when taking over at their alma maters without previous staff experience.
“Kenny Smith?! Dude never coached on this level… leave him out of it!” one fan said.
Another added, “One of the best jobs in college basketball and they’re gonna hire someone even worse than Hubert? Lmao. Sit down, Stephen A.”
“Yes, let UNC hire a second straight coach without any head coaching experience,” another fan chimed in.
One more commented, “Love Kenny Smith, but Stephen A knows nothing when it comes to this.”
Smith played for UNC from 1983 to 1987, was a consensus first-team All-American, led the university in career assists with 768, and had his jersey retired.