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ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters FC completes signing of Argentine winger Franchu Kerala Blasters FC has completed the signing of Argentine winger Francisco Feuillassier Abalo, widely known as Franchu, as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad.The 27-year-old arrives with experience across multiple European leagues, having developed through the youth systems of Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Franchu began his development in Spain and was part of the youth setup at Real Madrid Castilla.He went on to build his senior career with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, CF Fuenlabrada, SD Eibar, and FC Cartagena, featuring across LaLiga SmartBank and other competitive divisions. His most recent stint came with Karmiotissa FC in Cyprus.Primarily operating as a winger, Franchu is capable of playing on both flanks and offers versatility across the attacking line. He is recognised for his close control and ability to carry the ball into advanced areas, adding a dynamic option in wide positions.Franchu has already linked up with the squad in Kochi.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #ISL #Kerala #Blasters #completes #signing #Argentine #winger #Franchu

ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters FC completes signing of Argentine winger Franchu

Kerala Blasters FC has completed the signing of Argentine winger Francisco Feuillassier Abalo, widely known as Franchu, as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad.

The 27-year-old arrives with experience across multiple European leagues, having developed through the youth systems of Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Franchu began his development in Spain and was part of the youth setup at Real Madrid Castilla.

He went on to build his senior career with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, CF Fuenlabrada, SD Eibar, and FC Cartagena, featuring across LaLiga SmartBank and other competitive divisions. His most recent stint came with Karmiotissa FC in Cyprus.

Primarily operating as a winger, Franchu is capable of playing on both flanks and offers versatility across the attacking line. He is recognised for his close control and ability to carry the ball into advanced areas, adding a dynamic option in wide positions.

Franchu has already linked up with the squad in Kochi.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #completes #signing #Argentine #winger #Franchu

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Kerala Blasters FC has completed the signing of Argentine winger Francisco Feuillassier Abalo, widely known as Franchu, as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad.

The 27-year-old arrives with experience across multiple European leagues, having developed through the youth systems of Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Franchu began his development in Spain and was part of the youth setup at Real Madrid Castilla.

He went on to build his senior career with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, CF Fuenlabrada, SD Eibar, and FC Cartagena, featuring across LaLiga SmartBank and other competitive divisions. His most recent stint came with Karmiotissa FC in Cyprus.

Primarily operating as a winger, Franchu is capable of playing on both flanks and offers versatility across the attacking line. He is recognised for his close control and ability to carry the ball into advanced areas, adding a dynamic option in wide positions.

Franchu has already linked up with the squad in Kochi.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

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#ISL #Kerala #Blasters #completes #signing #Argentine #winger #Franchu

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Deadspin | Mammoth take down Predators, wrap up playoff berth <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695884.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695884.jpg" alt="NHL: Nashville Predators at Utah Mammoth" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) leaps to avoid a shot against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) during the first period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz each had a goal and an assist for the Utah Mammoth, who clinched a playoff berth shortly after earning a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday in Salt Lake City.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Anaheim Ducks’ subsequent 6-1 win over the San Jose Sharks allowed Utah to seal a postseason bid in its second season.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Clayton Keller had three primary assists for the Mammoth (42-30-6, 90 points), who won their fifth straight game. Kailer Yamamoto and Lawson Crouse also scored goals, and Logan Cooley added two assists.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Karel Vejmelka finished with 29 saves for Utah, which extended its lead over the Predators (37-32-10, 84 points) to six points in the race for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Kings hold the second wild-card position with 85 points.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Erik Haula scored a goal and Juuse Saros made 23 saves for Nashville, which had a four-game point streak (3-0-1) snapped.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Utah took a 1-0 lead at the 14:26 mark of the first period when Yamamoto, in front of the blue paint, jammed in a Guenther crossing pass through Saros’ pads at the end of an odd-man rush.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The Mammoth increased the lead to 2-0 early in the second period on a power-play goal by Schmaltz, who tucked in a Keller pass inside the left post. It marked the seventh straight game that Utah scored a power-play goal.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Utah broke the game open with two goals in the first 6:05 of the third period to make it 4-0. Crouse got the first goal, snapping a shot in from the middle of the right circle. Guenther followed with his team-leading 39th goal, finishing a 2-on-1 with Keller with a one-timer from the left circle past Saros’ blocker side.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Haula put the Predators on the board with a power-play goal with 9:38 remaining, backhanding in a rebound of a Zachary L’Heureux shot.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Nashville captain Roman Josi was a late scratch after taking part in warm-ups with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Mammoth #Predators #wrap #playoff #berth

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Deadspin | White Sox break long losing streak in K.C., pursue repeat win vs. Royals Apr 9, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) slides headfirst to score a run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images It’s been nearly four years since the Chicago White Sox won back-to-back games in Kansas City. After ending their lengthy road skid to the Royals on Thursday, the White Sox will get the chance to accomplish that feat again on Friday night. Chicago entered Thursday’s opener of a four-game set with the Royals as a loser of 22 of the previous 24 games at Kansas City, where the White Sox were mired in a 14-game losing streak that dated to a victory there on Sept. 6, 2023. However, Anthony Kay threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Colson Montgomery delivered an RBI double during a 2-0 White Sox victory Thursday. The last time Chicago won consecutive games at Kansas City was May 16-17, 2022. And White Sox players appear to have heard it from Kansas City’s lineup in the opener. “(The Royals) like to chirp a little bit, it seems like. I don’t think we’re going to take that anymore,” Kay told the White Sox’s official website. “We are going to go right at them.” Montgomery is just 9-for-45 on the young season but is tied for the team lead with seven RBIs. Friday’s scheduled Chicago starter, Davis Martin (2-0, 2.45 ERA), has a 2.67 ERA while going 1-2 in five career starts against the Royals. In his most recent start at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 17 of last season, the right-hander allowed one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings, but the White Sox bullpen couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead in a 6-2 defeat. Martin yielded four hits and two walks Sunday against Toronto over six solid innings of Chicago’s 3-0 victory. “Just relaxing,” Martin said. “Just always me to go out there and compete to the best of my ability.” Martin will face a Kansas City club that’s totaled only three runs and gone 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position during a three-game losing streak. The Royals managed just five hits and stranded 11 runners on Thursday. Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits Thursday and is batting .472 during a 22-game hitting streak against the White Sox. However, he struck out with a man on base for the final out of the game in the series opener. Fellow All-Star Maikel Garcia also had two hits Thursday and is batting .320 for the Royals, but he, too, struck in the ninth against closer Seranthony Dominguez. Scheduled Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (1-1, 4.09 ERA) is 1-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) vs. the White Sox. During Kansas City’s 10-0 victory over them on May 8 last season, the left-hander yielded six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings. Bubic opened this season by yielding a solo homer and one other hit over six innings in a 3-1 win over Minnesota on March 30. However, he was charged with four runs while walking three in his five innings of an 8-5 loss to Milwaukee on Sunday. “It wasn’t necessarily a loss of focus, it was just a lack of execution getting ahead in the count, because the stuff felt normal (against the Brewers),” he said. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #White #Sox #break #long #losing #streak #K.C #pursue #repeat #win #RoyalsApr 9, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) slides headfirst to score a run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

It’s been nearly four years since the Chicago White Sox won back-to-back games in Kansas City.

After ending their lengthy road skid to the Royals on Thursday, the White Sox will get the chance to accomplish that feat again on Friday night.

Chicago entered Thursday’s opener of a four-game set with the Royals as a loser of 22 of the previous 24 games at Kansas City, where the White Sox were mired in a 14-game losing streak that dated to a victory there on Sept. 6, 2023.

However, Anthony Kay threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Colson Montgomery delivered an RBI double during a 2-0 White Sox victory Thursday.

The last time Chicago won consecutive games at Kansas City was May 16-17, 2022. And White Sox players appear to have heard it from Kansas City’s lineup in the opener.

“(The Royals) like to chirp a little bit, it seems like. I don’t think we’re going to take that anymore,” Kay told the White Sox’s official website. “We are going to go right at them.”

Montgomery is just 9-for-45 on the young season but is tied for the team lead with seven RBIs.

Friday’s scheduled Chicago starter, Davis Martin (2-0, 2.45 ERA), has a 2.67 ERA while going 1-2 in five career starts against the Royals. In his most recent start at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 17 of last season, the right-hander allowed one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings, but the White Sox bullpen couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead in a 6-2 defeat.


Martin yielded four hits and two walks Sunday against Toronto over six solid innings of Chicago’s 3-0 victory.

“Just relaxing,” Martin said. “Just always me to go out there and compete to the best of my ability.”

Martin will face a Kansas City club that’s totaled only three runs and gone 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position during a three-game losing streak. The Royals managed just five hits and stranded 11 runners on Thursday.

Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits Thursday and is batting .472 during a 22-game hitting streak against the White Sox. However, he struck out with a man on base for the final out of the game in the series opener.

Fellow All-Star Maikel Garcia also had two hits Thursday and is batting .320 for the Royals, but he, too, struck in the ninth against closer Seranthony Dominguez.

Scheduled Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (1-1, 4.09 ERA) is 1-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) vs. the White Sox. During Kansas City’s 10-0 victory over them on May 8 last season, the left-hander yielded six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings.

Bubic opened this season by yielding a solo homer and one other hit over six innings in a 3-1 win over Minnesota on March 30. However, he was charged with four runs while walking three in his five innings of an 8-5 loss to Milwaukee on Sunday.

“It wasn’t necessarily a loss of focus, it was just a lack of execution getting ahead in the count, because the stuff felt normal (against the Brewers),” he said.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #White #Sox #break #long #losing #streak #K.C #pursue #repeat #win #Royals">Deadspin | White Sox break long losing streak in K.C., pursue repeat win vs. Royals Apr 9, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) slides headfirst to score a run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images It’s been nearly four years since the Chicago White Sox won back-to-back games in Kansas City. After ending their lengthy road skid to the Royals on Thursday, the White Sox will get the chance to accomplish that feat again on Friday night. Chicago entered Thursday’s opener of a four-game set with the Royals as a loser of 22 of the previous 24 games at Kansas City, where the White Sox were mired in a 14-game losing streak that dated to a victory there on Sept. 6, 2023. However, Anthony Kay threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Colson Montgomery delivered an RBI double during a 2-0 White Sox victory Thursday. The last time Chicago won consecutive games at Kansas City was May 16-17, 2022. And White Sox players appear to have heard it from Kansas City’s lineup in the opener. “(The Royals) like to chirp a little bit, it seems like. I don’t think we’re going to take that anymore,” Kay told the White Sox’s official website. “We are going to go right at them.” Montgomery is just 9-for-45 on the young season but is tied for the team lead with seven RBIs. Friday’s scheduled Chicago starter, Davis Martin (2-0, 2.45 ERA), has a 2.67 ERA while going 1-2 in five career starts against the Royals. In his most recent start at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 17 of last season, the right-hander allowed one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings, but the White Sox bullpen couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead in a 6-2 defeat. Martin yielded four hits and two walks Sunday against Toronto over six solid innings of Chicago’s 3-0 victory. “Just relaxing,” Martin said. “Just always me to go out there and compete to the best of my ability.” Martin will face a Kansas City club that’s totaled only three runs and gone 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position during a three-game losing streak. The Royals managed just five hits and stranded 11 runners on Thursday. Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits Thursday and is batting .472 during a 22-game hitting streak against the White Sox. However, he struck out with a man on base for the final out of the game in the series opener. Fellow All-Star Maikel Garcia also had two hits Thursday and is batting .320 for the Royals, but he, too, struck in the ninth against closer Seranthony Dominguez. Scheduled Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (1-1, 4.09 ERA) is 1-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) vs. the White Sox. During Kansas City’s 10-0 victory over them on May 8 last season, the left-hander yielded six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings. Bubic opened this season by yielding a solo homer and one other hit over six innings in a 3-1 win over Minnesota on March 30. However, he was charged with four runs while walking three in his five innings of an 8-5 loss to Milwaukee on Sunday. “It wasn’t necessarily a loss of focus, it was just a lack of execution getting ahead in the count, because the stuff felt normal (against the Brewers),” he said. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #White #Sox #break #long #losing #streak #K.C #pursue #repeat #win #Royals

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the criticism directed towards him following the side’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season was ‘fair’.

CSK has been winless in its last three encounters and is currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the same position where the side finished last term. It is not a situation fans of the five-time champion have been familiar with. A section of them have questioned if the Kiwi coach, who has been in charge since 2009, deserves to continue in the hot seat.

The coach, however, was quick to respond to suggestions that he hadn’t been up to speed with the exponential changes in the shortest format over the last half-decade.

“Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well; that’s part of the position, and the results dictate that. I’m coaching through the year in two other competitions, so it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. I have probably not spent more time studying T20 cricket and players around the world [as much as now],” the head coach said on the eve of the encounter against the Delhi Capitals.

“Yes, we were off the pace last year. [Mine will be] the first hand up. We pivoted quickly. Now, we’ve got some younger players, and I’m very confident about this group. We haven’t shown that as yet [this season]. One of the challenges is the number of players we have changed [from last year]. That means there is a bit of a settling-in process which we are trying to accelerate,” he added.

MATCH PREVIEW | Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentum

Fleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.

“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.

The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.

Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming">CSK vs DC, IPL 2026: ‘Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well,’ says Chennai Super Kings coach Fleming Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the criticism directed towards him following the side’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season was ‘fair’.CSK has been winless in its last three encounters and is currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the same position where the side finished last term. It is not a situation fans of the five-time champion have been familiar with. A section of them have questioned if the Kiwi coach, who has been in charge since 2009, deserves to continue in the hot seat.The coach, however, was quick to respond to suggestions that he hadn’t been up to speed with the exponential changes in the shortest format over the last half-decade.“Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well; that’s part of the position, and the results dictate that. I’m coaching through the year in two other competitions, so it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. I have probably not spent more time studying T20 cricket and players around the world [as much as now],” the head coach said on the eve of the encounter against the Delhi Capitals.“Yes, we were off the pace last year. [Mine will be] the first hand up. We pivoted quickly. Now, we’ve got some younger players, and I’m very confident about this group. We haven’t shown that as yet [this season]. One of the challenges is the number of players we have changed [from last year]. That means there is a bit of a settling-in process which we are trying to accelerate,” he added.MATCH PREVIEW | Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentumFleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming

Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentum

Fleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.

“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.

The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.

Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming">CSK vs DC, IPL 2026: ‘Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well,’ says Chennai Super Kings coach Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the criticism directed towards him following the side’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season was ‘fair’.

CSK has been winless in its last three encounters and is currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the same position where the side finished last term. It is not a situation fans of the five-time champion have been familiar with. A section of them have questioned if the Kiwi coach, who has been in charge since 2009, deserves to continue in the hot seat.

The coach, however, was quick to respond to suggestions that he hadn’t been up to speed with the exponential changes in the shortest format over the last half-decade.

“Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well; that’s part of the position, and the results dictate that. I’m coaching through the year in two other competitions, so it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. I have probably not spent more time studying T20 cricket and players around the world [as much as now],” the head coach said on the eve of the encounter against the Delhi Capitals.

“Yes, we were off the pace last year. [Mine will be] the first hand up. We pivoted quickly. Now, we’ve got some younger players, and I’m very confident about this group. We haven’t shown that as yet [this season]. One of the challenges is the number of players we have changed [from last year]. That means there is a bit of a settling-in process which we are trying to accelerate,” he added.

MATCH PREVIEW | Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentum

Fleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.

“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.

The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.

Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming

The biggest reason why Michael Malone is the new head coach at North Carolina is that he knew he wasn’t getting the type of NBA coaching job he’d want this offseason.

The other big reason is that guys named Tommy Lloyd (Arizona) and Dusty May (Michigan) feel they have better jobs than the one in Chapel Hill, N.C.

So the big Malone experiment is a full-go at North Carolina. And, oh yeah, that other huge reason is the six-year, $50-million contract plus incentives he’s getting without even one day of college head-coaching experience.

You can look it up, only legendary Bill Self ($8.8M) has a higher average salary than Malone ($8.3M). Even John Calipari ($8.0M) earns less.

That’s quite a financial commitment for North Carolina’s first outside-the-program hire since 1952.

Malone, 54, was fired by the Denver Nuggets with three games left in the 2024-25 regular season despite leading the franchise to the NBA title just two campaigns earlier.

There was reportedly a lot of tension in the organization, particularly between Malone and then-general manager Calvin Booth, who was fired at the same time.

Malone’s meticulous nature apparently rubbed some players the wrong way. And you could see why it became an issue.

It’s easy to accept hard coaching methods when you’re trying to win a title. After everyone gets a ring, they want to relax a little.

Malone isn’t much for relaxing.

So he wasn’t on an NBA bench this season and perhaps he needed a break. Good for him. He deserved a little time away from coaching basketball.

Malone was surely sizing up what jobs would come open after this season. And he could see there were no winners to be had.

No reason to take a bad job in which you might lose 50 or 60 games. And, well, the Sacramento Kings aren’t a possibility since that franchise infamously fired Malone after just 106 games in 2014.

No matter how you slice it, coaching the Tar Heels is superior to coaching the Kings.

So Malone takes his 11-plus seasons as an NBA head coach and 12 as an NBA assistant back to college. He last was on a college staff at Manhattan in 2001 and the landscape is entirely different.

Just picture all those trees all around Chapel Hill disappearing overnight – that’s how much different.

The coaching part ought to be the easiest segment of the job for Malone. The egos will be largely reduced and a guy with 510 wins on the resume and an NBA title ring on his finger ought to be able to get teenagers and 20-year-olds to listen.

The NIL equation — the compensation is being upgraded by North Carolina — shouldn’t be a problem. Malone is used to being around players who are getting paid. Plus, college basketball is often an entire-staff effort so others can handle the things Malone isn’t initially up to speed on.

He surely knows the talent is a drop-off from having guys like three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic or sharpshooter Jamal Murray. But North Carolina is supposed to be in the hunt for all the blue-chippers.

Perhaps former coach Hubert Davis wasn’t landing as many as Duke the past few years. So part of Malone’s success rate may rely on beefing up those scores against the Blue Devils and other national powers.

Malone will come under early season scrutiny – as he should – but I suspect by January that everything will be about game-planning and competing hard and winning games.

The hard thing to analyze is just how long will Malone want to hang out on the campus not far from bustling Franklin Street? Is this something he wants to do the rest of his career?

Obviously, he wants to restore North Carolina back among the top programs in the nation, but will he see an NBA opening three or four years down the road and want to take another spin? There are no academic advisors and other college red-tape annoyances in the NBA.

One thing we do now – this is not a Bill Belichick hire. Malone is not about to retire on the job, no matter how many Brink’s trucks are needed to drop off his money.

#Tar #Heels #50M #Gamble #Michael #Malone #Deadspin.com">Why the Tar Heels Made a M Gamble on Michael Malone | Deadspin.com The biggest reason why Michael Malone is the new head coach at North Carolina is that he knew he wasn’t getting the type of NBA coaching job he’d want this offseason.The other big reason is that guys named Tommy Lloyd (Arizona) and Dusty May (Michigan) feel they have better jobs than the one in Chapel Hill, N.C.So the big Malone experiment is a full-go at North Carolina. And, oh yeah, that other huge reason is the six-year, -million contract plus incentives he’s getting without even one day of college head-coaching experience.You can look it up, only legendary Bill Self (.8M) has a higher average salary than Malone (.3M). Even John Calipari (.0M) earns less.That’s quite a financial commitment for North Carolina’s first outside-the-program hire since 1952.Malone, 54, was fired by the Denver Nuggets with three games left in the 2024-25 regular season despite leading the franchise to the NBA title just two campaigns earlier.There was reportedly a lot of tension in the organization, particularly between Malone and then-general manager Calvin Booth, who was fired at the same time.Malone’s meticulous nature apparently rubbed some players the wrong way. And you could see why it became an issue.It’s easy to accept hard coaching methods when you’re trying to win a title. After everyone gets a ring, they want to relax a little.Malone isn’t much for relaxing.So he wasn’t on an NBA bench this season and perhaps he needed a break. Good for him. He deserved a little time away from coaching basketball.Malone was surely sizing up what jobs would come open after this season. And he could see there were no winners to be had.No reason to take a bad job in which you might lose 50 or 60 games. And, well, the Sacramento Kings aren’t a possibility since that franchise infamously fired Malone after just 106 games in 2014.No matter how you slice it, coaching the Tar Heels is superior to coaching the Kings.So Malone takes his 11-plus seasons as an NBA head coach and 12 as an NBA assistant back to college. He last was on a college staff at Manhattan in 2001 and the landscape is entirely different.Just picture all those trees all around Chapel Hill disappearing overnight – that’s how much different.The coaching part ought to be the easiest segment of the job for Malone. The egos will be largely reduced and a guy with 510 wins on the resume and an NBA title ring on his finger ought to be able to get teenagers and 20-year-olds to listen.The NIL equation — the compensation is being upgraded by North Carolina — shouldn’t be a problem. Malone is used to being around players who are getting paid. Plus, college basketball is often an entire-staff effort so others can handle the things Malone isn’t initially up to speed on.He surely knows the talent is a drop-off from having guys like three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic or sharpshooter Jamal Murray. But North Carolina is supposed to be in the hunt for all the blue-chippers.Perhaps former coach Hubert Davis wasn’t landing as many as Duke the past few years. So part of Malone’s success rate may rely on beefing up those scores against the Blue Devils and other national powers.Malone will come under early season scrutiny – as he should – but I suspect by January that everything will be about game-planning and competing hard and winning games.The hard thing to analyze is just how long will Malone want to hang out on the campus not far from bustling Franklin Street? Is this something he wants to do the rest of his career?Obviously, he wants to restore North Carolina back among the top programs in the nation, but will he see an NBA opening three or four years down the road and want to take another spin? There are no academic advisors and other college red-tape annoyances in the NBA.One thing we do now – this is not a Bill Belichick hire. Malone is not about to retire on the job, no matter how many Brink’s trucks are needed to drop off his money. #Tar #Heels #50M #Gamble #Michael #Malone #Deadspin.com

the six-year, $50-million contract plus incentives he’s getting without even one day of college head-coaching experience.

You can look it up, only legendary Bill Self ($8.8M) has a higher average salary than Malone ($8.3M). Even John Calipari ($8.0M) earns less.

That’s quite a financial commitment for North Carolina’s first outside-the-program hire since 1952.

Malone, 54, was fired by the Denver Nuggets with three games left in the 2024-25 regular season despite leading the franchise to the NBA title just two campaigns earlier.

There was reportedly a lot of tension in the organization, particularly between Malone and then-general manager Calvin Booth, who was fired at the same time.

Malone’s meticulous nature apparently rubbed some players the wrong way. And you could see why it became an issue.

It’s easy to accept hard coaching methods when you’re trying to win a title. After everyone gets a ring, they want to relax a little.

Malone isn’t much for relaxing.

So he wasn’t on an NBA bench this season and perhaps he needed a break. Good for him. He deserved a little time away from coaching basketball.

Malone was surely sizing up what jobs would come open after this season. And he could see there were no winners to be had.

No reason to take a bad job in which you might lose 50 or 60 games. And, well, the Sacramento Kings aren’t a possibility since that franchise infamously fired Malone after just 106 games in 2014.

No matter how you slice it, coaching the Tar Heels is superior to coaching the Kings.

So Malone takes his 11-plus seasons as an NBA head coach and 12 as an NBA assistant back to college. He last was on a college staff at Manhattan in 2001 and the landscape is entirely different.

Just picture all those trees all around Chapel Hill disappearing overnight – that’s how much different.

The coaching part ought to be the easiest segment of the job for Malone. The egos will be largely reduced and a guy with 510 wins on the resume and an NBA title ring on his finger ought to be able to get teenagers and 20-year-olds to listen.

The NIL equation — the compensation is being upgraded by North Carolina — shouldn’t be a problem. Malone is used to being around players who are getting paid. Plus, college basketball is often an entire-staff effort so others can handle the things Malone isn’t initially up to speed on.

He surely knows the talent is a drop-off from having guys like three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic or sharpshooter Jamal Murray. But North Carolina is supposed to be in the hunt for all the blue-chippers.

Perhaps former coach Hubert Davis wasn’t landing as many as Duke the past few years. So part of Malone’s success rate may rely on beefing up those scores against the Blue Devils and other national powers.

Malone will come under early season scrutiny – as he should – but I suspect by January that everything will be about game-planning and competing hard and winning games.

The hard thing to analyze is just how long will Malone want to hang out on the campus not far from bustling Franklin Street? Is this something he wants to do the rest of his career?

Obviously, he wants to restore North Carolina back among the top programs in the nation, but will he see an NBA opening three or four years down the road and want to take another spin? There are no academic advisors and other college red-tape annoyances in the NBA.

One thing we do now – this is not a Bill Belichick hire. Malone is not about to retire on the job, no matter how many Brink’s trucks are needed to drop off his money.

#Tar #Heels #50M #Gamble #Michael #Malone #Deadspin.com">Why the Tar Heels Made a $50M Gamble on Michael Malone | Deadspin.com

The biggest reason why Michael Malone is the new head coach at North Carolina is that he knew he wasn’t getting the type of NBA coaching job he’d want this offseason.

The other big reason is that guys named Tommy Lloyd (Arizona) and Dusty May (Michigan) feel they have better jobs than the one in Chapel Hill, N.C.

So the big Malone experiment is a full-go at North Carolina. And, oh yeah, that other huge reason is the six-year, $50-million contract plus incentives he’s getting without even one day of college head-coaching experience.

You can look it up, only legendary Bill Self ($8.8M) has a higher average salary than Malone ($8.3M). Even John Calipari ($8.0M) earns less.

That’s quite a financial commitment for North Carolina’s first outside-the-program hire since 1952.

Malone, 54, was fired by the Denver Nuggets with three games left in the 2024-25 regular season despite leading the franchise to the NBA title just two campaigns earlier.

There was reportedly a lot of tension in the organization, particularly between Malone and then-general manager Calvin Booth, who was fired at the same time.

Malone’s meticulous nature apparently rubbed some players the wrong way. And you could see why it became an issue.

It’s easy to accept hard coaching methods when you’re trying to win a title. After everyone gets a ring, they want to relax a little.

Malone isn’t much for relaxing.

So he wasn’t on an NBA bench this season and perhaps he needed a break. Good for him. He deserved a little time away from coaching basketball.

Malone was surely sizing up what jobs would come open after this season. And he could see there were no winners to be had.

No reason to take a bad job in which you might lose 50 or 60 games. And, well, the Sacramento Kings aren’t a possibility since that franchise infamously fired Malone after just 106 games in 2014.

No matter how you slice it, coaching the Tar Heels is superior to coaching the Kings.

So Malone takes his 11-plus seasons as an NBA head coach and 12 as an NBA assistant back to college. He last was on a college staff at Manhattan in 2001 and the landscape is entirely different.

Just picture all those trees all around Chapel Hill disappearing overnight – that’s how much different.

The coaching part ought to be the easiest segment of the job for Malone. The egos will be largely reduced and a guy with 510 wins on the resume and an NBA title ring on his finger ought to be able to get teenagers and 20-year-olds to listen.

The NIL equation — the compensation is being upgraded by North Carolina — shouldn’t be a problem. Malone is used to being around players who are getting paid. Plus, college basketball is often an entire-staff effort so others can handle the things Malone isn’t initially up to speed on.

He surely knows the talent is a drop-off from having guys like three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic or sharpshooter Jamal Murray. But North Carolina is supposed to be in the hunt for all the blue-chippers.

Perhaps former coach Hubert Davis wasn’t landing as many as Duke the past few years. So part of Malone’s success rate may rely on beefing up those scores against the Blue Devils and other national powers.

Malone will come under early season scrutiny – as he should – but I suspect by January that everything will be about game-planning and competing hard and winning games.

The hard thing to analyze is just how long will Malone want to hang out on the campus not far from bustling Franklin Street? Is this something he wants to do the rest of his career?

Obviously, he wants to restore North Carolina back among the top programs in the nation, but will he see an NBA opening three or four years down the road and want to take another spin? There are no academic advisors and other college red-tape annoyances in the NBA.

One thing we do now – this is not a Bill Belichick hire. Malone is not about to retire on the job, no matter how many Brink’s trucks are needed to drop off his money.

#Tar #Heels #50M #Gamble #Michael #Malone #Deadspin.com

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