For now, all signs are pointing to UNC going all-in for Billy Donovan to replace Hubert Davis. Previously, Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May seemed like the top targets, but both have respectfully said no thanks to a move to campus.
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Other names are still being mentioned, but plenty of eyebrows were raised when Pete Thamel of ESPN mentioned Dan Hurley as a potential option. Wait, what? Not long after that rumor swirled, the UConn head coach didn't waste time in throwing cold water all over it. Straight up, Hurley is not going to be packing his bags for NC:
Dan Hurley on whether he would consider the UNC opening. pic.twitter.com/mqC7A8wqr5
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 5, 2026
Dan Hurley quickly made it clear he has no interest in replacing Hubert Davis as UNC
"No I don't want more years - I mean, I don't think I ever want a contract that's more than five years now," Hurley said with a smile on the links. "I don't know how many years I'm at now, but no, I'm a UConn coach until the end. Maybe the NBA someday down the line, but yeah, no, I'm a UConn coach, man."
Those words from Hurley weren't a surprise at all, as the idea of him even being an option for the Tar Heels seemed a bit far-fetched. That's not us throwing shade at Thamel at all, as he's an ace reporter and his scoops are on the money. It's just that Hurley to UNC always seemed like a dream and nothing more for the UNC faithful.
As things stand, Donovan feels like the primary target, but other names indeed are also making the rounds: Scott Drew, Ben McCollum, Mark Byington and others. With the portal opening up soon, the Tar Heels need to act fast in making such an important decision.
Will Donovan end up being the guy? That's the $1 million question on everyone's mind. That's up in the air at this time, but what we do know for sure right now is that Hurley isn't going to be on an ACC bench next campaign. He's all-in on the Huskies, which is perfectly fine here. UNC will look elsewhere and make a splash regardless of how things go down.