UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.
This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.
The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.
A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.
This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.
Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.
This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.
The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.
A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.
This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.
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#Deadspin #Reports #Giants #Dexter #Lawrence #requesting #trade">Deadspin | Reports: Giants DT Dexter Lawrence requesting a trade
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is requesting a trade, multiple outlets reported Monday.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection is not expected to report Tuesday when the offseason program gets underway.
Lawrence, 28, is set to earn a base salary of $18.5 million in 2026 and is under contract through 2027.
According to ESPN, there has been no progress in Lawrence’s attempts to negotiate a new long-term deal.
The 2019 first-round pick has recorded 341 tackles, 30.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits in 109 games (102 starts).
Although this stage of offseason work is voluntary, Lawrence’s expected absence is a sour start to new coach John Harbaugh’s tenure.
#Deadspin #Orioles #recall #RHP #Brandon #Young #start #Monday #White #Sox">Deadspin | Orioles recall RHP Brandon Young to start Monday vs. White Sox
Aug 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brandon Young (63) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
The Baltimore Orioles recalled right-hander Brandon Young from Triple-A Norfolk to start Monday’s series opener against the host Chicago White Sox.
To make room on the roster, the Orioles sent southpaw reliever Dietrich Enns (foot infection) to the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Saturday.
The spot for a starter opened up when Zach Eflin (right elbow discomfort) went on the 15-day IL last week. He left his start versus the Texas Rangers on March 31 in the fourth inning and is currently seeking a second opinion.
Young, the Orioles’ 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, made 12 starts for the major league club in 2025 and finished 1-7 with a 6.24 ERA. The highlight of his season occurred on July 8 when he recorded an immaculate inning against the New York Mets, fanning three batters on nine pitches in the top of the fifth.
Young made one start for Norfolk, completing five innings at Memphis on April 1. He allowed one earned run on five hits, with no walks and four strikeouts.
Pink ribbons with names of breast cancer survivors and those lost to the disease alike are seen during Paint El Paseo Pink in Palm Desert, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.
Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod is stepping away from the team to continue her cancer treatment, the PWHL team announced Monday.
MacLeod, 43, shared her breast cancer diagnosis in November. The length of her absence is undetermined.
“She remains in good spirits and is focused on her health and recovery,” the team said. “The entire organization fully supports Carla and her family and asks that her privacy is respected.”
Assistant coach Haley Irwin takes over as interim coach, a role she previously held for a Dec. 2 game after MacLeod started her treatment.
The Charge are currently in fifth place in the PWHL standings through 25 games, one point behind the fourth-place Toronto Sceptres. Ottawa’s next game is Wednesday night against the visiting Seattle Torrent.
MacLeod has coached Ottawa since the league’s inaugural season in 2024.
MacLeod played for two gold medal-winning Canada squads at the Olympics in 2006 and 2010. The Alberta-born defender also won gold at the 2007 world championships to go with three silvers (2005, 2008 and 2009).
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