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Michael Malone was on track to become a Secret Service agent when a low-paying, entry-level college job set him on the path to coaching stardom. That’s one of the interesting stories from a 2020 NBA.com interview with his late father, Brendan Malone, an accomplished coach who was instrumental in developing the “Jordan rules” during his days on the Detroit Pistons coaching staff.
If a Carolina player wanted to “Be Like Mike,” Tar Heels coach Michael Malone would undoubtedly be delighted if they played like Michael Jordan. Just don’t call him Mike.
Nikola Jokić’s rise to stardom began with what seemed like a bold coaching move at the time by Michael Malone. Jokić was a second-round pick and was playing behind first-round pick Jusuf Nurkić when the Denver Nuggets’ coach went against conventional NBA logic in a decision that reshaped the franchise and Jokić’s career.
Michael Malone got overwhelming support from the coach who succeeded him with the Denver Nuggets and the star that helped him win an NBA title. Nuggets head coach David Adelman, who succeeded Malone late in the 2024–25 season, said he was happy to hear the news that Malone was becoming North Carolina’s coach.
Michael Malone’s first North Carolina staff move is a familiar one for anyone who has tracked John Calipari’s recruiting machine over the past two decades. Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin, the Razorbacks’ recruiting coordinator and one of Calipari’s long-trusted lieutenants, is expected to join Malone in Chapel Hill as UNC’s associate head coach, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
With North Carolina introducing Michael Malone as its head basketball coach, the parallels to football coach Bill Belichick are obvious: both arrived in Chapel Hill as professional champions with zero college head-coaching experience. While the comparison is tempting, it’s ultimately inaccurate. With Malone now in place and having “won” his introductory press conference, it’s increasingly clear that, despite surface-level similarities, these two hires are fundamentally different. Here are five reasons why:
Sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo has reportedly become the third UNC women’s player to enter the transfer portal. Talia Goodman of On3 reported Wednesday morning that Aarnisalo, according to her sources, has entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag.
CHAPEL HILL — Michael Malone knows well how tough the coaching profession can be because he was fired from his previous job with the Denver Nuggets. Taking over for Hubert Davis, it wasn’t hard for him to feel bad for the coach who welcomed him to practices last season and was so gracious.
CHAPEL HILL — Michael Malone’s Denver Nuggets were known for torrid defense, and he says that it will be the cornerstone of how North Carolina will play under his leadership.
CHAPEL HILL — Steve Newmark refused to take no for an answer, and by the time he left Michael Malone’s house on Easter Sunday, the University of North Carolina’s search for its next men’s basketball coach had its turning point.
CHAPEL HILL — Here is Michael Malone’s contract to be UNC’s men’s basketball coach, which will pay him $50 million over six years, averaging $8.33 million per season.
Michael Malone comes off very much as someone who gets what Carolina basketball has been about, and hopefully will continue to be about in the future.
Jonathan Powell plans to enter the transfer portal, he announced in a social-media post on Monday afternoon, but left open the possibility of returning to UNC.
North Carolina has turned to the NBA for its next men’s basketball coach, hiring Michael Malone, according to multiple reports.
Jaydon Young has become the second North Carolina’s men’s player who will enter the transfer portal. Young posted an On3 report of that decision on his Instagram account. The transfer portal opens on Tuesday.
