The University of North Carolina introduced Hubert Davis as its new head basketball coach during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
“It is my distinct pleasure to formally introduce as the new head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina, Hubert Davis,” said UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Cunningham said Davis is the right coach for the Tar Heels, and “we want to win and we’re committed to winning.”
Cunningham also described Davis as a servant leader.
“He has become the best he can be with what has challenged him.” Cunningham said. “He will be the best leader for our program well into the future.”
Davis said one of the reasons he wanted to be the head coach at North Carolina was for the tradition of the program.
“I have always wanted to be here at Carolina,” he said. “The first time I stepped foot on this campus, it felt like home.”
“This is where I got better,” Davis added.
Davis said he understands the expectations at North Carolina and the challenges that come with playing against the best in the ACC.
“North Carolina is going to show up. Every game. Every day.”
As for recruiting, Davis said he wants to recruit the best players in the country the right way.
“I’m appreciative of being able to be in this role and being able to have a front row seat to help the kids out everyday,” Davis said.
Davis, who was named the new head coach on Monday, has spent the last nine seasons as an assistant coach under Roy Williams at UNC. He is also a North Carolina alum who played for Dean Smith from 1988-92, and spent over a decade in the NBA before being hired as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.
Davis is the first black coach in the history of the program. He steps into his first head coaching job to replace Williams, who retired after 33 years of coaching at North Carolina and Kansas.
Williams leaves the Tar Heel program as one of the best in college basketball history with an NCAA record 400 wins at two different schools.
Williams retired on April 1 after 18 seasons at North Carolina.
The Tar Heels wrapped up the 2020 regular season with a 18-11 record before losing to Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“He’s the greatest coach I’ve ever been around,” Davis said about Williams. “I can’t believe he’s here today” Davis added.
