Some thoughts:
1. Coach Davis hadn't lived up to Carolina's expectations, but if not for a freak broken thumb or a missed FT in regulation, he would be back for year 6. I thought he had improved significantly from year 1, but not as much as we all hoped. I wasn't in favor of his firing, but I understand why it happened. If anyone is unhappy with the results of Coach Davis's tenure, don't blame Coach Davis. I think we can all agree that he gave it 100% and did his best.
If you want to blame someone that Coach Davis wasn't good enough, I think we have to start with coach Williams.
2. I hope the Tar Heels and Coach Malone are successful beyond our wildest dreams.
3. I like what I've heard and read about his Xs and Os and his offense and defense. I like that he considers himself a teacher. I have no doubt that he's a great coach. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Carolina looks like on the court next year.
4. I really like that so many former Tar Heel players are enthusiastic about him.
5. I think many of us are concerned that he's been away from college basketball for 25 years. The college basketball ecosystem is significantly different than it was when he was last part of a college coaching staff.
6. I wasn't particularly impressed with the press conference. Roberts and the ADs were uninspiring. Coach Malone said many of the right words, but I'm unconvinced that it wasn't just lip service. I hope he truly wants to be a part of, and wants to continue, the Carolina family. Time will tell.
7. The contract was a little concerning, not the least of which is a buyout of only $8 million. Mark Byington has a larger buyout at Vanderbilt for crying out loud. Coach Malone obviously has interest in coaching in the NBA again and he could be gone in a flash. Even the possibility suggests instability. Every time an NBA head coaching position becomes available, his name will be mentioned, and everyone at Carolina, including players and recruits, will be left to wonder until the coaching carousel quits spinning. This experiment could be amazingly successful, mildly disappointing, or excruciatingly short, if we find ourselves right back here in a year and a half, or 2 years, or 2 and a half years, or...
9. I hope Carolina wins every game they play for infinity and beyond, and maybe this turns out to be a Grand Slam home run, but I haven't changed much from being cautiously optimistic when I first heard the news.
( If you want to see an introductory press conference, watch this. You can start at the 28 minute mark.
Mark Pope Introductory Press Conference – UK Athletics
Mark Pope Introductory Press Conference)
