During the "Hubert Davis Live" show on Monday night, the UNC basketball program's head coach claimed how the old model doesn't work.
"The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work. It’s not sustainable."
Just a day later, news surfaced that showed that Carolina Basketball is stuck in its old ways.
Carolina would like to hire a GM from within the UNC family, I’m told.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) February 5, 2025
Buzz Peterson is a strong potential candidate according to multiple sources.
Peterson, 61, most recently served as the assistant GM for the Charlotte Hornets. As a player, he won a National Championship… https://t.co/t3lNH3WCow
Joe Tipton of On3 reported late on Tuesday night that the Tar Heels are looking to hire their general manager from "within the UNC family." Buzz Peterson is considered to be a strong candidate for the job, according to Tipton's report.
While it's not to say that Peterson wouldn't be a good candidate for the position, this reported news goes to show that Carolina Basketball is still stuck in its old ways.
With so much importance on this hire, why wouldn't the UNC basketball program want to hire the best possible candidate, regardless of their prior affiliation with the program?
In June of 2022 (another reminder of how far behind North Carolina is in this aspect), Duke hired Rachel Baker to be their general manager for the basketball program. They went with the best possible candidate, one who had no ties to the school whatsoever.
Why would the Tar Heels be so narrow-minded in their quest to find the best general manager candidate to lead the program?
Sure, who doesn't love when members of the Carolina family come back and take on a role with the program. However, times are rapidly changing in the college basketball world, as this method is one of the "old model ways" that simply doesn't work anymore.
This is a critical decision for the future state of the UNC basketball program, one that shouldn't be guided by focusing on hiring a Carolina family member for the position.
A wide-net should be cast to ensure the best possible candidate is offered the job, regardless of their affiliation with the University of North Carolina.