Michael Malone is sticking by what he said when he was hired as the head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina.
In another effort to make sure former players are coming back, Malone has added a fan favorite to his staff that Tar Heel fans will be estatic to hear about.
Deon Thompson is expected to join the UNC coaching staff
Inside Carolina reported that 2009 national champion Deon Thompson is coming home to Chapel Hill. The former Tar Heel is expected to join Malone's staff at UNC, serving in a graduate assistant role.
NEWS: Deon Thompson is back in Chapel Hill.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) May 12, 2026
The former Tar Heel who helped UNC win the 2009 national championship is expected to join Michael Malone's coaching staff, per sources.
Details: https://t.co/PpGTmPTW2C pic.twitter.com/e2mXkA841t
Based on Inside Carolina's report, Thompson is looking to transition from playing to coaching, a move that comes after he played 15 seasons overseas in 13 different countries.
As he pursues his master's degree at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, Thompson will also jumpstart his coaching career. There's no better place for him to do that than in Chapel Hill, the place he called home throughout his college basketball journey.
Thompson played for the Tar Heels from 2006 to 2010, serving as a full-time starter for his final three seasons on campus. While he was a key contributor on the 2009 title team, Thompson's best overall season came during his senior year (2010), one in which he averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per-game.
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Now, Thompson will bring his wide range of experience to the sidelines in Chapel Hill. Not only did he string together a long, successful professional career, but he also had a ton of success while playing at the University of North Carolina, as the wisdom and guidance he can provide to the current team could help this new wave of Tar Heels succeed the way he and his teammates did during their college basketball careers.
This is a home-run type of move for Malone and the Tar Heels, bringing back another fan favorite to serve on the coaching staff. It works out tremendously for both sides, as Thompson will begin his post-playing career by not only gaining very valuable coaching experience, but will also be working toward earning his master's degree, taking that next step in his educational journey.
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