UPDATE (April 6, 2026 2:00 p.m. CT): North Carolina intends to hire Michael Malone as its next head men’s basketball coach, ending speculation surrounding the Tar Heels’ coaching search. While Scott Drew ultimately remained at Baylor, his name emerged as one of several high-profile candidates linked to the opening during the early stages of UNC’s decision-making process.
Sources: North Carolina intends to hire longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as the school’s next basketball coach. He’s an NBA Championship coach with the Denver Nuggets from the 2022-23 season and has won 510 games as an NBA head coach. pic.twitter.com/JwJmUNRLQT
[Original Story: 12:34 p.m. CT]: UNC’s coaching search continues, and now, a third Big 12 name has emerged in the search. Tommy Lloyd is off the board, electing to return to Arizona with a contract extension after reaching the Final 4 this season. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland has received some attention as well, but seems like a perfect fit for Lubbock. Now, according to betting site Kalshi, Baylor head coach Scott Drew (14%) has the third-best odds to be the next head coach of the Tar Heels, behind Billy Donovan (58%) and Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington (15%), as of Monday afternoon. While betting odds are not definitive indicators of a school’s direction, they often reflect industry buzz and media-driven speculation.
Scott Drew’s History
Drew has been the head coach at Baylor since 2003, transforming Baylor into a national powerhouse. He began his head coaching career at Valparaiso from 2002–03, leading the program to a 24–10 record in his lone season before taking over Baylor in 2003, just months after the program was devastated by scandal and sanctions that left it winless in Big 12 play. Drew led Baylor to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years in 2008 and its first Elite Eight in 2010. He reached the apex of college basketball when he led Baylor to its first national championship in 2021. He’s won two Big 12 regular season titles in 2021 and 2022, while being named the Big 12 Coach of the Year three times (2020-2022).
UNC’s Timing
One of the big questions surrounded how long was UNC willing to wait for its reported No. 1 target in Billy Donovan. The Bulls will not make the NBA Playoffs, so their season ends on April 12th. Donovan has reportedly said he won’t discuss the job until the Bulls season is over. That seemed to play a role in UNC’s decision.
Scott Drew’s Contract
Drew and the Bears had their worst season in nearly two decades, going 17-17 overall and 6-12 in the Big 12. This was the first time the Bears had finished six games under .500 since 2008-2009, when they went 5-11 in league play. Drew reportedly signed 10-year contract extension with Baylor signed after the 2021 national championship, earning approximately $5.4 million annually.
So while North Carolina ultimately moved in a different direction, Scott Drew’s inclusion in the UNC conversation reinforced his standing as one of the most respected coaches in college basketball. When blue-blood programs come calling, it’s a reminder not only of Drew’s résumé, but of Baylor’s continued place among the sport’s elite.
