In a surprising turn of events, North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis, sparking a whirlwind of speculation about who might step into the role of head coach for the Tar Heels. Among the unexpected names tossed around on social media was none other than NBA legend Phil Jackson.
The buzz began with a fake post from BetMGM's official account, humorously suggesting that Jackson was poised to take the reins in Chapel Hill. "BREAKING: UNC is finalizing a deal to hire NBA legend Phil Jackson as their next Head Coach," read the post on X.
While clearly intended as a playful jab-especially considering last year's eyebrow-raising hire of NFL icon Bill Belichick-the post caught many off guard, given BetMGM's reputation as a credible source. The viral nature of the post was undeniable, racking up over 600,000 views in just two hours.
This all comes on the heels of the Tar Heels' bold move to bring in Belichick, who wrapped up his inaugural season with a 4-8 record. The notion of Jackson stepping into a similar role added an extra layer of intrigue to the ongoing discussions.
However, it's important to note that Phil Jackson, at 80 years old and with an illustrious 13-time NBA championship legacy, has shown no interest in returning to coaching. Since his retirement in 2011, Jackson has been enjoying his well-deserved time away from the sidelines.
As the dust settles, the focus shifts to more realistic candidates for the UNC position. Expect the university to embark on a comprehensive national search, with names like Michigan's Dusty May, Florida's Todd Golden, and Arizona's Tommy Lloyd likely to be in the mix. The Tar Heels are clearly aiming to find a leader who can steer the program back to its storied heights.