Stephen A. Smith has made his voice heard loud and clear when it comes to the future of North Carolina's basketball program. Just a day after Hubert Davis was let go, Smith is championing Kenny Smith as the next head coach for the Tar Heels.
On Wednesday's episode of First Take, Stephen A. discussed the program's tendency to promote from within but suggested it's time for a fresh perspective. He mentioned names like Florida's Todd Golden and Alabama's Nate Oats, but his main focus was on a more unconventional choice.
Stephen A. believes Kenny Smith should be at the top of UNC’s list before they consider any other candidates. This aligns with the university's tradition of hiring from within, maintaining their long-standing culture.
“If Kenny Smith wants that job, you don’t even think about interviewing another coach,” Smith emphasized.
The question is, what makes Kenny Smith the right choice? A former North Carolina national champion and seasoned NBA veteran, he's carved out a successful media career with TNT and ESPN's Inside the NBA. But it's his extensive grassroots basketball connections that Stephen A. sees as a game-changer.
Kenny Smith's network in youth basketball and summer camps could make him a formidable recruiter, a crucial element in today's college basketball landscape dominated by NIL deals and the transfer portal.
While it's uncertain if this will lead to a real opportunity, Stephen A.'s public endorsement could spark movement. For a program once at the pinnacle of college basketball, having a recruiter with deep ties to the Tar Heel tradition might be just what they need to reclaim their status.