Charles Barkley recently delivered a comedic jab at the idea of Kenny Smith potentially becoming the next head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels. With the buzz surrounding Hubert Davis' likely departure following a tough first-round NCAA Tournament exit, the Tar Heels are on the hunt for a new leader.
Names like Florida's Todd Golden and Boston Celtics executive Brad Stevens have been floated, but neither seems particularly feasible. Enter ESPN's Stephen A.
Smith, who suggested Kenny Smith as a candidate. Known as "The Jet," Smith played at Chapel Hill from 1983 to 1987, enjoyed a successful NBA career with two championships, and has been a broadcaster since 1998.
Despite his deep ties to UNC and his son Malloy Smith's recent commitment to the program, Smith has no coaching experience. Barkley humorously dismissed the idea during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, highlighting the improbability of such a move.
When Hubert Davis succeeded Roy Williams in 2021, he brought a decade of assistant coaching experience with the Tar Heels. It's hard to envision UNC, a powerhouse in college basketball, opting for someone without a coaching resume.
Moreover, would Smith even consider leaving his lucrative and enjoyable broadcasting career for the pressures of coaching? It's a question that adds another layer to this intriguing scenario.