New UNC Coach Michael Malone Reveals How Roy Williams Influenced Him to Take North Carolina Job

Michael Malone, the new head coach of the University of North Carolina men's basketball team, has made waves in the college basketball world by taking the helm of the Tar Heels. In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, Malone revealed that Roy Williams, a Hall of Famer and former UNC coach, had a significant influence on his decision to take the job.

Malone turned down the UNC job offer three times before finally accepting it. However, it was his conversations with Roy Williams that ultimately changed his mind. Malone was deeply impressed by Williams' passion for the university and the basketball program. He felt that Williams' love for the program was something that he wanted to be a part of.

## A New Era for UNC Basketball

Malone's hiring marks a significant departure from the traditional approach of hiring coaches within the "North Carolina family." The last time UNC hired a coach outside of the family was in 1952, when Frank McGuire took the reins. Malone's unorthodox hiring has sparked interest in how he plans to bridge the gap between the past and present.

Malone has stated that he plans to do this by assembling a staff that includes a mix of experienced coaches and those with a connection to the program. He has already hired Sean May, a former UNC player and lottery pick, as a member of his staff. May played a key role in UNC's national championship win and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team.

Malone has also emphasized the importance of high school recruiting and his approach in bringing young talent to Chapel Hill. He has stated that his mindset is to get the best players in the country and not settle for anything less.

## Transfer Portal Haul

Despite having minimal college coaching experience, Malone has assembled one of the top transfer portal hauls in the sport. UNC has the No. 8-ranked transfer portal class in the 247Sports rankings, headlined by the additions of NC State's Matt Able, Utah's Terrence Brown, and Virginia Tech's Neoklis Avdalas.

| Rank | Transfer Portal Class | Team | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | No. 1 | Alabama | | 2 | No. 2 | Kentucky | | 3 | No. 3 | Gonzaga | | 4 | No. 4 | UCLA | | 5 | No. 5 | Texas | | 6 | No. 6 | Auburn | | 7 | No. 7 | Tennessee | | 8 | No. 8 | North Carolina | | 9 | No. 9 | Oregon | | 10 | No. 10 | Purdue |

Malone's ability to attract top talent from the transfer portal is a testament to his recruiting skills and his ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

## Conclusion

Michael Malone's decision to take the UNC job was influenced by Roy Williams' passion for the university and the basketball program. Malone's unorthodox hiring and his approach to recruiting and coaching have sparked interest in the college basketball world. With his top transfer portal haul and emphasis on high school recruiting, Malone is poised to make a significant impact on the Tar Heels.