Amid a rough fourth season for North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, his legendary predecessor told Inside Carolina this week that “we’ve got the right guy.” Roy Williams’ backing of Davis comes as the Tar Heels (15-11, 8-6 ACC) are projected to miss the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the past three seasons.
“I know there’s criticism out there,” said Williams, who remains a fixture at North Carolina games. “But he’s the nicest person I have ever known in my life, who is also fiercely competitive. And that’s a hard combination to have. We’ve got the right guy.”
Last season, UNC made it to the Sweet 16 as a No. 1 seed and started the 2024-25 season ranked No. 9 in the AP poll. However, the Tar Heels faced challenges with one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country and have yet to secure back-to-back ACC wins since starting league play with a 5-1 record.
“When I coached, people would ask me about somebody making criticisms or this needs to be done and that needs to be done, I didn’t care,” Williams said. “Because I told them that in my little finger, I had more passion for North Carolina basketball than both of you guys and the next people down the hall and the next person. I’ve got more than anybody, and that’s what Coach Davis has got.”
KenPom projects UNC to win its next five games, starting with a home matchup against NC State on Wednesday night. If the Tar Heels catch fire, it could set up a high-stakes clash with No. 3 Duke to wrap up the regular season on March 8.
Davis, who served as an assistant under Williams from 2012-2021, took over after Williams’ unexpected retirement. His tenure has been a roller coaster, with a surprising run to the national championship game as a No. 8 seed in 2022. The Tar Heels began the next season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, only to become the first preseason No. 1 team to miss the NCAA Tournament that same year. Amid these ups and downs, and the challenge of following a three-time national champion like Williams, Davis has faced significant criticism from the passionate fanbase.
“Hubert Davis is concerned with coaching his team,” Williams said. “Coaching his assistants and coaching his team and representing the University of North Carolina. He’s not going to be interested in somebody who works outside basketball or may work in basketball or whatever.”
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