UNC Basketball: Hubert Davis is the Perfect Addition to Tar Heels Staff
By Matt Hamm
Ever since Jared Haase left North Carolina to become the head coach at UAB, Tar Heel Nation has wondered who will his replacement be? Head coach Roy Williams insisted throughout the entire process that whoever it ended up being, it would be a Tar Heel. Williams said as many as 14 of his former players inquired about the position. Both UNC and Kansas alums phoned Ol’ Roy looking to join his staff. He told the Jayhawks how much he loved them, but that he was sorry, this hire had to have Tar Heel roots and Carolina blue blood coursing through his veins.
With the recruiting season in full swing, Roy put off naming a replacement so he could focus on making the rounds in the first part of AAU Season. Roy never revealed the names of those who inquired and don’t hold your breath for it either. Williams expressed how joyed it made him feel that so many former players expressed interest. Based on his comments to Tar Heel Blue, it looks like he’s known who he wanted for a long time.
"“I am ecstatic to announce that Hubert Davis will be joining our program as an assistant coach to replace Jerod Haase,” says Williams. “Jerod was phenomenal as a player and assistant and I am elated that I can fill this spot with Hubert. I helped recruit him to Carolina in 1988, coached him in the World University Games in 1991 and have always admired him on and off the court. I knew the day would eventually come when I would need to replace staff members as they moved on. For the last four or five years Hubert has alwaysbeen on my mind in case a spot did come open. I didn’t know if I could get him to come back, but I knew I wanted him to be the first option. Coaching is about teaching, relationships and passion and I feel Hubert is the perfect choice. Our student-athletes will benefit greatly from what he adds to our staff."
Roy knew all along what I’m about to tell you, Hubert Davis is the perfect fit to sit beside Roy on the Carolina bench. Anybody who watches college basketball has the dial set to ESPN regularly during the season. Davis is not only fantastic with the mic, he’s one of few announcers that can actually break down a game live with deep, accurate, thought out analysis. Hubert isn’t the pretty face or famous name being fed information in his ear spouting off nonsense. Hubert Davis is a college basketball genius, he understands the game from all angles. He understands the teams, their traditions, the players and what needs to be done on the court.
Davis, a four year player at UNC from 1988-92 was a leader on the floor and one of the best three point shooters in Carolina history. Hubert holds the UNC record for career three-point percentage at .435 (197 of 453). He was apart of two ACC Tournament Champions and went to the Final Four during a very good career that saw him average 11.8 points per game in 139 career games. Davis was selected 20th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Davis enjoyed a solid NBA career playing 14 NBA seasons before retiring after the 2004 season.
What makes this hire special is the fact that Davis could have had a job on an NBA bench if he wanted it. He could have chosen to work his way through the ranks by taking the head job at a DII or JCO college. He chose to come to Carolina, to go back home, to step out of the limelight. We’re talking a lot about Hubert Davis now and we will continue to do so for a little while. After that, he’s an assistant coach, how much fame is one going to obtain as an assistant coach? Davis was along with Jay Bilas the best ESPN college basketball announcer at the network if you ask me. He might be more famous now amongst the everyday fan than he was during his playing days. Davis has certainty positioned himself well in negotiations with ESPN or any other network if that’s what he wanted to do. But he wanted to be in Chapel Hill, sitting next to the man and I think that says a whole lot about what type of man Hubert Davis is.
This is way too early in the game to be throwing out this type of statement. But I’m doing it anyway, I predict that today May 2nd 2012, North Carolina fans have not just met their new assistant coach. I think you’ve just met your future head coach when the day comes that Roy Williams decides to retire.
"“I am very excited, thankful and honored to re-join the Carolina basketball program as an assistant to Coach Williams,” says Davis. “I loved being a part of college basketball during my time at ESPN by attending practices and games and developing relationships with players and coaches. Now I will have the opportunity to do this on a more personal level at a university and with a basketball program that I have loved my entire life.”"