In today’s college basketball world, headlined by transfers and coaching changes, it’s rare to see either stay at a program for several years.
Top transfers are choosing NIL money over a guaranteed starting spot, plus struggling Power 5 programs are hiring successful head coaches at lower levels. These both lead many fans to question loyalty in college hoops, with some even saying it’s turning into a professional sport.
The North Carolina Tar Heels, though, are a rare outlier in this instance. Players might transfer out of Chapel Hill, but simply because they want more playing time elsewhere – not primarily for NIL money. Hubert Davis is only UNC’s fifth coach since 1961, when Dean Smith took over the men’s basketball program.
While Hubert’s loyalty is a highlight at North Carolina, his current coaching staff is also quite the loyal bunch, too.
Marcus Paige, Sean May, Jeff Lebo, Brad Frederick and Pat Sullivan join Hubert on the ONLY Power 5 coaching staff with all former players.
Carolina Family. pic.twitter.com/DjRWgfn79W
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) July 21, 2024
Paige, who most recently played with the Tar Heels (2012-2016), was on the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2013 and First-Team All-ACC in 2014. You might best remember his game-tying shot in the 2016 National Championship Game against Villanova, only for that to be undone by Kris Jenkins’ buzzer-beater.
Sean May was one of the most productive big men in 21st century UNC history, averaging a double-double (17.5 points, 10.7 rebounds per game) during the 2005 National Championship-winning season, in which May earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.
Hubert, who played at North Carolina from 1988-1992, earned Second Team All-ACC Honors in 1992. He averaged a scorching 21.4 points per game during that season, led UNC to the Final Four in 1991, then ended his NBA career second all-time in 3-point percentage (.441).
Lebo played under legendary Tar Heel coach Dean Smith from 1985-1989. Lebo was also teammates with Hubert during the 1988-1989 campaign – years later, they’re coaching together.
Sullivan, now North Carolina’s Director of Recruiting, was part of the 1993 UNC Natty-winning squad. Entering the 2023 season, Sullivan played in and won more NCAA Tournament games than any other Tar Heel.
Frederick, primarily a bench player in Chapel Hill from 1996-1999, played with future NBA stars Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
