The coaching search at North Carolina is officially on, and the hot takes are already flying. While the Tar Heels' brass begins its hunt for Hubert Davis's successor, one bold suggestion from a prominent ESPN voice is getting absolutely roasted.
Stephen A. Smith's Controversial Pick
On Wednesday's edition of "First Take," Stephen A. Smith threw a name into the ring that few saw coming. He passionately argued that the Tar Heels should turn to former NBA champion and current television analyst Kenny "The Jet" Smith to lead the program. Citing Smith's deep Carolina roots as a former All-ACC player and his recruiting potential, Stephen A. made his case. "I believe that Kenny 'The Jet' Smith is that dude," he declared. "You don't even think about hiring another coach, you hire Kenny Smith."
This proposal, however, landed with a resounding thud. Smith's own colleague, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, immediately shot it down. Russo pointed to the recent Hubert Davis era, which followed a long-time assistant, as a reason to look elsewhere. "They're not bringing Kenny Smith in, who's 61 years of age, who's never coached a game in college basketball," Russo argued.
Fan Backlash Erupts Online
The reaction from the college basketball community was swift and overwhelmingly negative. On social media, fans and commentators united in disbelief at the idea of hiring a 61-year-old TV personality with zero coaching experience to helm one of the sport's blue-blood programs.
"Yeah, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that UNC basketball is not going to hire a 60 yr old tv personality without ANY HC experience to run its program," one fan wrote, capturing the prevailing sentiment. Another simply stated, "Enough with this nonsense. That would be a disaster." The backlash was so intense it sparked fan theories about Kenny Smith's recent absence from March Madness coverage.
Where Does North Carolina Turn Next?
So if not Kenny Smith, then who? According to reports, the Tar Heels are poised to cast a wide net outside of their traditional coaching tree. Insider Jon Rothstein indicated the school will "actively pursue candidates outside of the Tar Heels' family." This marks a strategic shift following the Davis experiment.
The early list of potential targets includes some of the hottest names in the college game. Florida's Todd Golden and Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger are reportedly at the top of the wish list, both having built strong reputations for program building. One dream candidate is already off the board, however, as Boston Celtics executive Brad Stevens has removed his name from consideration.
The End of the Hubert Davis Era
This high-stakes search was triggered by the dismissal of Hubert Davis after five seasons. Despite a stellar 125-54 record and an unexpected run to the national championship game in his first year, the program failed to maintain that elite momentum. The final straw was a catastrophic collapse in the NCAA Tournament, blowing a 19-point lead to VCU. In a statement, Davis expressed gratitude for his time, saying, "I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together."
As the search begins, the pressure is immense. North Carolina isn't just filling a job; it's stewarding a legacy. While Stephen A. Smith is known for his fiery opinions and stunning reversals, his latest coaching proposal appears to be a rare airball that almost no one in the basketball world is willing to catch.
