UNC fires Hubert Davis after historic NCAA Tournament first-round collapse against VCU

After the UNC Tar Heels' illness successful the archetypal circular led to a speedy exit retired of the NCAA Tournament, men’s hoops caput manager Hubert Davis is besides heading retired the doorway successful Chapel Hill. 

The 55-year-old manager was fired aft a stunning decision to the No. 10 VCU Rams, who mounted the biggest first-round comeback successful tourney past to yet decision the No. 6 Tar Heels successful overtime, 82-78. 

The schoolhouse announced the determination aft ESPN reported Davis was fired. 

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Head manager Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the archetypal fractional against the VCU Rams successful the archetypal circular of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 19, 2026 successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

"We admit each that Hubert has done for Carolina arsenic a player, adjunct coach, caput manager and assemblage person – helium has helped marque peculiar memories we volition ne'er forget," diversion manager Bubba Cunningham said successful a statement. "This was not an casual determination due to the fact that of Hubert’s tremendous quality and each helium has fixed to the program, but we indispensable determination guardant successful a mode that allows our squad to vie much consistently astatine an elite level."

Davis, who made 4 NCAA Tournaments, including the past 3 seasons, implicit his 5 campaigns with the Tar Heels, released his ain connection connected the matter. 

UNC COLLAPSE LATE, BLOWS 19-POINT LEAD IN SHOCKING OVERTIME LOSS TO VCU

"Tonight, I was fto spell by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill," helium wrote. "My tendency was to proceed to manager here. This accidental has genuinely been specified a blessing. I convey Jesus virtually each time for giving maine the opportunity, relationships and experiences with the kids and my staff. I americium precise arrogant of what we were capable to execute together."

Davis added that helium hopes to beryllium coaching "in the precise adjacent future."

Davis’ departure whitethorn not person happened if UNC had been capable to adjacent down the 19-point second-half pb they held implicit VCU successful a crippled that looked similar they were destined for the 2nd round. 

Head manager Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks connected during the archetypal fractional against the VCU Rams successful the archetypal circular of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 19, 2026 successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

However, VCU’s relentless offense, and UNC cooling disconnected offensively, yet saw the Rams necktie things up late. Guard Seth Trimble astir had a sigh-of-relief infinitesimal for UNC erstwhile helium stole an in-bounds walk and had a game-winning three-point effort astatine the buzzer. But aft the shot didn’t interaction the rim, overtime ensued and the acold streak continued for the Tar Heels. 

Terrence Hill Jr.’s three-point changeable with conscionable seconds remaining successful overtime gave VCU a pb they would ne'er relinquish successful the end. 

Now, Davis, who played for UNC from 1988-92 earlier being a first-round prime by the New York Knicks successful 1992, leaves the programme with astir $5.3 cardinal inactive guaranteed from his contract, per ESPN.

Davis went 125-54 during his 179-game tenure with his alma mater, which included a first-year Final Four quality during the 2021-22 campaign. The Tar Heels reached the nationalist title game, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, who besides overcame a double-digit shortage to beryllium crowned champions. 

Head manager Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks connected during signifier up of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 18, 2026 successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

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After missing March Madness successful 2023, the Tar Heels earned themselves a No. 1 effect successful 2024, but they were taken down by No. 4 Alabama successful the Sweet 16, cutting their nationalist rubric hopes short. Still, Davis earned himself the ACC Coach of the Year Award that year. 

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