Just days after Roy Williams’ retirement, UNC hired longtime assistant Hubert Davis to replace the Hall of Famer as head coach.

Davis takes over as head coach after spending the past nine season as an assistant coach on Williams’ staff. He played for the Tar Heels from 1988-92, during which time UNC won the 1989 and 1991 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournaments and played in the 1991 Final Four. He averaged 21.4 points and earned second-team All-ACC honors as a senior.

People on social media praised UNC’s decision to promote from within, with ESPN analyst Jay Bilas calling Davis the “real deal” with an “uncommon understanding of the game.”

Jeff Goodman from Stadium reported that Davis was Williams’ choice to succeed him, but former players within the UNC family thought that UNC Greensboro head coach Wes Miller “was a better pick for the job.”

Several former UNC players, whom Davis had the opportunity to recruit and coach, chimed in as well. Kenny Williams, who played at UNC from 2015-19, said the hiring of Davis was deserved.

The hiring of Davis marks a landmark for UNC — as Davis becomes the first Black head coach for the Tar Heels in a major revenue sport like basketball or football.

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham chose to stay within the Carolina Family for this hire. Davis played under Dean Smith and coached under Williams — a fact that is not forgotten amongst fan, fellow coaches and analysts.

Bilas also shared a hilarious ESPN commercial that Davis starred in, with the focus on the Duke-UNC rivalry.

 

Featured image via AP Photo/Chuck Burton

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