North Carolina's search for a new men's basketball coach is officially underway, as there's been a whirlwind of information that has surfaced over the first 24 hours of this process.
Even before Hubert Davis was officially fired, multiple names of potential candidates for the job started to surface. A high-profile job, arguably one of the best that the country has to offer, it's expected that top tier targets will be intrigued by the opportunity to coach one of college basketball's historic Blue Blood programs.
Joel Berry tells it how it is when it comes to being the head coach at North Carolina
However, one hurdle North Carolina has to work around is the NCAA Tournament, one in which there are still 16 teams who are vying to keep their current seasons alive. Of those coaches, a few have been rumored candidates for the gig, as two of the more prominent coaches in the mix were asked about the topic.
Tar Heel fans might not like the answers these two elite-level coaches provided on the matter...
T.J. Otzelberger has no desire to leave Iowa State
T.J. Otzelberger isn't just focused on his team's Sweet 16 duel with Tennessee, but he's fully committing to his future as the head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones.
Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger spoke on Wednesday afternoon about his name being connected to other college basketball coaching jobs, most likely the vacant North Carolina position.
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) March 25, 2026
"Any speculation with me and any jobs, opportunities is not true. I'm the coach of the Cyclones." pic.twitter.com/Fxm9NH1hig
"Any speculation with me and any jobs, opportunities is not true. I'm the coach of the Cyclones."
Of course, circumstances can change, but at least for now, it seems like Otzelberger and Iowa State are slated to continue their relationship for the foreseeable future.
Tommy Lloyd is "focused on the moment"
Unlike Otzelberger, you could make the case that Tommy Lloyd at least left the door cracked open a bit on the possibility.
Tommy Lloyd on the North Carolina opening 👀
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 25, 2026
"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about all the time is the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment... I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament. This team deserves my… pic.twitter.com/T26f6O1SuQ
Being "focused on the moment," Lloyd understands how important it is to stay locked in on the present scenario. His team doesn't want their season to end in the Sweet 16, as he's fully committed to taking the Wildcats to the Final Four and beyond.
However, once the moment is over, Lloyd just might want to listen to what North Carolina has to say. You know, being in the moment is important- why wouldn't he at least hear UNC out to see if the opportunity is one that makes sense for him?
Don't read too much into it
Both coaches provided political answers to the questions posed. The media doesn't care that both are preparing for the Sweet 16 with their teams, but have to ask the question that becomes so prominent in terms of what is brewing in Chapel Hill.
While you might think this fully rules them out of the mix, don't eliminate them from the mix just yet. We're certain you've all heard Roy Williams' post game interview after his team's heartbreaking loss to Syracuse in the NCAA title game, one where he ripped the reporter about not wanting to talk about UNC at the moment.
Just a week later, Roy Williams was named the head coach of the UNC basketball program. At this point, just let it all play out.