By R.L. Bynum
If Carolina moves on from Hubert Davis, they’ll seek an established head coach, and it will be a pricey transition.
After consecutive first-round exits in the NCAA tournament, the financial implications for an athletics department that threw an incredible amount of money at Coach Bill Belichick and his football staff are coming into sharper focus.
Davis is likely to resign rather than be fired. His contract, according to USA Today, includes a $5.312 million buyout if he is fired on April 1. That’s just the start of the money that UNC will have to spend in the transition.
Here’s a look at the buyout figures for some of the speculated candidates to replace Davis should he be out as UNC’s head coach. Two of them are still in the NCAA tournament, with Midwest Regional games on Friday.
Florida coach Todd Golden
If UNC wants to make a run at Golden (top photo), it won’t have to wait since Iowa ousted the reigning national champion and No. 4-ranked Gators 73–72 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday. Florida finished 27–8.
Luring him from Gainesville comes with a major financial hurdle. According to si.com, the buyout to leave Florida for another college job is $16 million if he departs before April 15, making him one of the most expensive coaches to poach in the country.
Golden has baggage, though, from 2024 allegations that he sexually harassed and stalked women, including students. The university announced on Jan. 27, 2025, that it found no evidence of Title IX violations.
Alabama coach Nate Oats
Oats is another top‑tier coach with a modern system and proven success, including against UNC. His Alabama contract includes the largest buyout in college basketball.
According to The Sporting News, the buyout if Oats leaves for another school before April 1 is $18 million, and that falls to $10 million after that. It would require a large check from UNC, and for the school to wait until the Crimson Tide’s season is over. No. 18 Alabama (25–9) faces No. 3 Michigan on Friday in the Midwest Regional Sweet 16 (7:35 p.m., TBS).
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger
Known for rapid program turnarounds, Otzelberger is locked into a long‑term deal. His No. 6 Cyclones (29–7) face Tennessee on Friday (10:10 p.m., TBS) in the Midwest Regional. According to KCCI, the buyout for Otzelberger is $4 million, making him a more financially viable candidate.
With a move expected in the coming days, quickly hiring a coach will be imperative, as the transfer portal opens on April 7. Who UNC goes after could depend on the donor appetite for a major financial commitment.
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
Photo via floridagators.com
