Whether North Carolina is back at square one or Plan C (or D) with this coaching search is unknown. After Tonmy Lloyd turned down some incredible money to take over the program, the search is on the verge of panic.
Billy Donovan still feels like the right name, but the NBA season is a week away from being over, which means it could be two weeks before he is announced as the coach, if he wants the job. Beyond Donovan, there are a lot of names being floated around and one is Iowa's Ben McCollum.
But Jeff Goodman from "The Field of 68" quickly tried to squash any tie of McCollum to the Tar Heels.
🚨 @AndyAriOn3 Final Four Pregame Show presented by @culvers! 🚨
— Andy Staples (@AndyStaples) April 4, 2026
🏀 @THANS50 and @GoodmanHoops on tonight’s games and the UNC job
🏀I explain to @John_Fanta why I wouldn’t want to be nuzzled by Dan Hurley.
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"Ben McCollum doesn't fit there at all...at all...his personality does not fit at Carolina," Goodman said with authority.
McCollum is an Iowa guy. He was born in Iowa City and gets to coach for his home school. It's going to be very tough to get him to leave a place where he has roots, and he is likely happy to spend the next 15–20 years. As we've said before, North Carolina is a dream job, but it's not everyone's dream.
Jeff Goodman's pick for UNC coach is not who you'd expect
Chalk Goodman up with Dick Vitale in blowing the horn for Vanderbilt's Mark Byington. That name has been discussed heavily and his overall lack of success is the main reason why Tar Heel fans aren't inspired by the hire. Think what you will of Hubert Davis, but he has a championship game appearance and a Sweet 16 on his resume. Byington has none of that, and he's not a new head coach or anything. He's been at this for 12 seasons now.
Is it just me, or does it feel like there’s been a strong media push for UNC to hire Mark Byington? pic.twitter.com/oed1oHmk9s
— Chris Smith (@chrismithunc) April 5, 2026
But let's let Goodman state his case:
"Byington...that's the guy I've said from really day one," Goodman said. "I actually think Byington, while he won't win the press conference, is a better fit than Tommy Lloyd. Dusty would be my number one guy... Dusty would've been my number one guy at Carolina, but I don't think you can get him."
Assuming the Dusty May train has already left the station and these are Bubba Cunningham's best choices, he appears to be between a rock and a hard place. The Donovan hire will be applauded, but it'll put UNC behind the eight-ball for the upcoming season.
Hiring Byington would take some cash for a buyout, and it's not the hire the fans want. It's a bigger risk and, unlike Donovan, there's no history to suggest that a reward would be on the table. But there's a reason guys like Goodman and Vitale are talking about him being a good fit for the Tar Heels. Maybe they know something that we don't