While Tar Heel fans were disappointed to see that Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats advanced to the Final Four, the potential head coaching candidate for North Carolina somehow found a way to add to the speculation follow the game.
New UNC coaching update feels like Bubba Cunningham is playing a dangerous game
After Arizona secured a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 2001, Lloyd spoke to the media and had quite the interesting quote to throw out there, one that added even more to the fueling fire.
Lloyd makes it seem like his time in Arizona is close to an end
Read the quote below and then watch as Lloyd actually says it during his post game press conference.
"The sun might be shining on our program and me, but my number one priority is to protect this program for the duration of when I am here. Arizona is going to have a great coach after me. The place is special."
"Arizona's going to have another good coach after me, I promise you."
— PHNX Wildcats (@PHNX_Wildcats) March 29, 2026
Tommy Lloyd on protecting the program, for those who've come before, and those who'll come after. pic.twitter.com/w2UezUN5Hs
Couple of things to take away from this...
For starters, Lloyd hit the nail on the head when it came to his quote about protecting the program and putting it in the best position to succeed under his watch.
However, was the "Arizona's going to have another good coach after me, I promise you," part necessary?
This quote sends UNC fans into a spiral
You can't help but think that Lloyd already has Chapel Hill on his mind, even though his team is set to do something that the university hasn't seen in essentially 25 years. His quote could have one of two meanings to it.
He could be using his leverage to his advantage (looking to either earn a contract extension from Arizona or simply to help him in terms of his relationship with the university's AD).
OR, and we like this idea much more...
Lloyd is Chapel Hill bound and he knows it.
Tommy Lloyd failed in a major way trying to silence the UNC rumors
The more he speaks to the media, the worse he's making it in terms of silencing the rumors of his departure to North Carolina. While Tar Heel fans hope what he is insinuating is true, it would be tremendously heart breaking if he doesn't end up in Chapel Hill once all the dust settles.
Based on his own words, it seems like Lloyd is ready for a change of scenery, regardless of how the next week shapes out.