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Tyler Hansbrough's new shortlist for UNC coach includes a total wildcard option

Now that Tommy Lloyd is off the list, who does Tyler Hansbrough believe should be in the running for the UNC job?
ByNick Delahanty|
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Jan 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Former North Carolina Tar Heels great Tyler Hansbrough presents forward Armando Bacot (5) with the game ball after the game. Bacot became the all-time Tar Heels rebounding leader during the game breaking Hansbrough s record. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Jan 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Former North Carolina Tar Heels great Tyler Hansbrough presents forward Armando Bacot (5) with the game ball after the game. Bacot became the all-time Tar Heels rebounding leader during the game breaking Hansbrough s record. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Not many people love Carolina basketball as much as Tyler Hansbrough.

Similar to the fanbase, Hansbrough was disappointed following the news of Tommy Lloyd's contract extension at Arizona. This move is one that has the Tar Heels looking to pivot quickly as they search for their next men's basketball coach.

Of course, the search is back in full-swing, as multiple names have already been thrown around as potential candidates.

When asked about who he would consider for the job, Hansbrough offered some insight, naming four candidates, one of which may surprise you.

Tyler Hansbrough throws out a wildcard option for the UNC job

In the above clip (around the 51:40 mark), Hansbrough begins to discuss his short-list of candidates that he would consider for the job.

The obvious starting point for Hansbrough would be to make Dusty May of Michigan say no to the opportunity. May is a rising star in the coaching world, but it's not a guarantee he's ready (or willing) to leave Michigan, especially now.

If May says no, Hansbrough noted that he likes Ben McCollum, citing his hard working mentality and success at every level he's coached at throughout his career.

He then went on to mention Billy Donovan, who has drawn a ton of attention throughout this head coach search. A former two-time national champion, it still remains to be see if Donovan, who is rumored to not be entertaining any other jobs until the Chicago Bulls' season comes to a close on April 12, would even consider coming back to the college ranks after over a decade away from it.

The final candidate Hansbrough mentioned was his "wild card," citing that former Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone could get some momentum as these discussions heat up.

With his daughter playing volleyball at North Carolina, Hansbrough wonders if coaching in Chapel Hill is something Malone would consider. It's possible that Malone could have his eyes on returning to the NBA, not wanting to take on the challenges of the college game at this point in his career.

As Hansbrough stated so well, the goal is to find a coach who can win games, make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, and aims to be in Chapel Hill for the long run. While there are some veteran coaches out there with winning pedigrees, North Carolina might be better off finding a younger coach who is on the rise, someone the program can build around for the foreseeable future.

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