UNC Basketball: Introducing new head coach Hubert Davis

A press conference was held Tuesday afternoon to introduce UNC basketball’s new head coach Hubert Davis. Here are a few key points:

History was made as Hubert Davis was announced as the first African American head coach at the University of North Carolina, replacing the now-retired Roy Williams. The traditional press conference was held with many in attendance, including Williams, to celebrate the new hiring and the passing of the blazer.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham explained with gratitude the selflessness he felt from the Tar Heel community in speaking with interviewees.

“I talked to many that were interested in being the head coach and at the end of the conversation each and everyone of them said I’d love to be the head coach but if its not me I know you will do the right thing and all I want is for Carolina to get the right coach. And we have found the right coach.”

Cunningham continued to talk about the process of hiring Davis, which involved no search firm, but did have eight members of his staff, along with Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and himself. They all interviewed candidates and concluded together that Davis was the right fit for the job.

After Cunningham spoke with confidence on the hire, it was Davis who sealed the trust of Tar Heel nation by speaking from the heart, much like Williams did. He started off with a big thank you to Cunningham and the chancellor for the opportunity to coach UNC basketball and the admiration he had for Carolina.

“I had always wanted to be here at Carolina. You know growing up I had always wanted to walk out that tunnel. I always wanted to put on that uniform. Always wanted to play for Coach Smith. Always wanted to play on this floor. Always wanted to get an education here. I wanted to be a part of this community. I wanted to be a part of this history.”

Davis was asked about how he would change the style of play in regards to how the NBA has evolved into a game of lay-ups and three point shots and how this style has been transferred to college basketball. Davis, who has experience in the NBA, had this to say:

“The foundation is set here at Carolina. And it’s a foundation that I believe in. It’s a foundation that has been tested, tried, and proven successful through Coach Smith, Coach Guthridge, and Coach Williams. I’ve got no desire, no plans, of going away from that foundation because I believe in it.”

Davis went on to say that he does know the game has changed and that we need to get better next year stating this summer is very significant.

“We’ve got to get better with the transfer portal and bring in big time players that have a vision of wanting to be a part of this program. Wanting to be a part of this history.”

Davis will now forever be a part of Tar Heels history, and fellow members of the Carolina community can agree that we are all excited for this new era of Carolina basketball.

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