Following North Carolina’s disappointing early exit from the 2025 NCAA Tournament, head coach Hubert Davis delivered a blunt assessment: “On both ends of the floor, I felt like we were going off script.” His words reflected a recurring issue under his leadership. After an unexpected Final Four run in 2022, the program has struggled—missing the tournament in 2023, making only one Sweet 16 in 2024, and now facing questions about whether Davis is the right man for the job.
As UNC processes another underwhelming season, discussions about moving on from Davis are intensifying. The Tar Heels’ 1-12 record against Quad 1 opponents this season, coupled with the controversy surrounding their tournament selection, has only fueled the debate. At a program with six national championships, mediocrity isn’t tolerated.
Pressure Mounting for Davis
Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman emphasized the urgency of the situation on the *Field of 68: After Dark* podcast. “Next year is going to be a pivotal year for Hubert Davis and his future with North Carolina. They have to be relevant all year. They can’t be a bubble team again, or else I think next year will be his last.”
For a program of UNC’s stature, being on the bubble isn’t enough. If Davis’ team underperforms again next season, it’s hard to see him keeping his job. However, parting ways with him won’t be easy or cheap.
The Financial Dilemma
Davis complicated matters by signing a contract extension in December 2024, adding two more years to his deal and securing a salary increase. His base salary jumped to $1.25 million per year, while his supplemental income starts at $1.7 million and will rise annually. If UNC were to fire him immediately, they’d owe him $6.25 million. If they wait until the end of the 2025-26 season, the buyout drops to $5 million.
That leaves the university with a tough decision: cut ties now and absorb the financial hit, or give Davis one more season to prove himself?
UNC’s Longstanding Patience vs. Modern Expectations
Historically, North Carolina has been patient with its head coaches, having only four since 1961. Each was given time to build a contender. But the college basketball landscape has changed. NIL deals and the transfer portal have accelerated rebuilding timelines, making long-term projects less viable.
Adding to the uncertainty is UNC’s lackluster 2025 recruiting class, which ranks outside the top 20 nationally and lacks a five-star prospect. That’s a troubling sign for a blue-blood program accustomed to landing elite talent.
A Make-or-Break Season Ahead
With RJ Davis leaving after exhausting his eligibility, next season’s success will depend on younger players like Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson, along with any talent brought in through the transfer portal. UNC’s recent hire of Jim Tanner as the program’s first executive director and general manager was seen as a move to assist Davis, allowing him to focus on coaching while Tanner manages roster construction.
Ultimately, 2025-26 shapes up as a defining season for Davis. If UNC remains stuck in mediocrity, the school may have no choice but to move on. His tenure now rests on whether he can turn things around or if his time in Chapel Hill is running out.
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