Name recognition
Wallace brings name recognition. Much like Juwan Howard at Michigan and Anfernee Hardaway at Memphis, the name recognition brings instant credibility when an alma mater hires a high-profile NBA alum. Okay, you can laugh here, but in truth, a 16-year NBA veteran with a world championship and a Final Four does speak volumes.
When I brought up his name in a conversation with another Tar Heel supporter, they of course laughed and dismissed the idea, but you know who he is for certain. I don’t doubt for a second that seeing him strut the sidelines would be intimidating to opposing coaches. Plus, you may have forgotten that he has NBA coaching experience, albeit brief, during the 2013-2014 season that he served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons.