North Carolina’s surprising first-round exit from the NCAA tournament, after letting a 19-point advantage slip against VCU on Thursday, became a major talking point. Following this upset, there’s now speculation that the Tar Heels might be in the market for a new head coach this offseason. Could Brad Stevens, currently the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, emerge as a prime candidate?
As of Saturday, North Carolina has not made any definitive moves regarding the future of its head coach, Hubert Davis. However, rumors are intensifying that the Tar Heels might be considering a leadership change.
Stevens’ last coaching stint at the collegiate level was in the 2012-13 season, capping off six successful years at Butler where he famously guided the Bulldogs to two national championship games. He subsequently transitioned to coaching the Celtics. Despite his time away from college sidelines, Stevens maintains significant respect within the college basketball community. Here are two compelling reasons why he should contemplate accepting the head coaching role for the Tar Heels.
A Return to Coaching
Stevens hasn’t held a head coaching position since the 2020-21 season, his final year at Boston before shifting into his current front-office capacity.
The 49-year-old might harbor a desire to return to the sidelines, an opportunity unlikely to resurface with the Celtics. Having already coached one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, Stevens could now be looking to lead one of college basketball’s all-time elite programs.
North Carolina stands among college basketball’s giants, alongside powerhouses like Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, Kansas, and Connecticut. Securing a coaching position at such a prestigious institution is often considered a hallmark of an iconic career in the sport.
Considering Stevens’ ability to steer Butler to consecutive national championship appearances from the Horizon League, one can only imagine the potential success he could achieve by attracting top-tier talent to North Carolina, complemented by the vast resources available there.
The Pursuit of a Championship
Another strong motivator for Stevens to consider the head coaching job at North Carolina is the significant opportunity it could provide him to win a championship in that specific capacity.
While Stevens celebrated a championship with the Celtics in the 2023-24 season, he was not in the head coaching role at that time. Despite a career filled with remarkable achievements at both Boston and Butler, the absence of a title won as a head coach might still be a lingering ambition.
Although a championship at North Carolina is not guaranteed, his prospects would undoubtedly increase dramatically. The Tar Heels boast a rich history of success, having secured six national championships, with three of those triumphs occurring within the last 21 years: in 2005, 2009, and 2017.
Stepping away from his current executive role with the Celtics would be a momentous decision for Stevens, but North Carolina could present him with every desired opportunity as a head coach.
More NBA Content: Celtics Reporter Highlights Jaylen Brown As One Of NBA’s ‘Five Most Impactful Players’