North Carolina Basketball Coach Speculation With Arizona's Tommy Lloyd

The Arizona Wildcats are trying to earn their first berth in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament since 2015 this week.

But they now have a massive potential distraction on their hands.

Their head coach, Tommy Lloyd, is being mentioned as a possible candidate in many lists of potential replacements for Hubert Davis as North Carolina’s coach.

Could Tommy Lloyd leave Arizona for UNC?

Check out what men’s college basketball writers are saying about the possibility.

Sports Illustrated: Tommy Lloyd to North Carolina ‘feels most realistic’

Kevin Sweeney writes: “A longtime assistant under Mark Few, Lloyd has consistently had Arizona near the top of the sport in his five years as a head coach. He has gotten a top-two seed in the NCAA tournament in four of five seasons, including a No. 1 seed this season. The one thing missing has been a deep March run, though the Wildcats have what it takes to end that streak this year. This would be a slam dunk hire. While it’s far from a sure thing he’d take the job, Lloyd feels more realistic than some of the other dream candidates.”

CBS Sports: Tommy Lloyd included among ‘potential candidates’ for North Carolina job

Matt Norlander writes: “Luring a big-name coach in college could be extremely expensive, though the buyout situations vary and numbers are set to drop in the coming week(s). Names that will be looked into as potential candidates, per sources, include Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May and Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger, in addition to potentially some others in the pool that have been tossed around (Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats could emerge as targets).”

The Athletic: UNC could ‘swing big’ with Tommy Lloyd

Brendan Marks writes: “Now, North Carolina is expected to go outside the Tar Heels family for its next coach for the first time in more than 70 years. Each of UNC’s four head coaches since Smith retired in 1997 either played for or coached with the legendary coach. But UNC, by far the best opening in this cycle, could swing big, with Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan among the potential candidates.”

ESPN: Tommy Lloyd on ‘short list’ for Tar Heels coaching job

Jeff Borzello writes: “Industry insiders also believe the best of the best in the college ranks are likely on the short list: Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, Iowa State’s TJ. Otzelberger, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland could also be in the conversation. The Tar Heels could even gauge interest from UConn’s Dan Hurley, like Kentucky (and the Lakers) did a couple of years ago. A few of those coaches come with massive buyouts: Lloyd’s would be between $9 million and $12 million, depending on timing; Golden’s would cost $16 million; and Oats’ would cost $18 million until April 1, when it drops to $10 million. McCasland’s buyout is just north of $10 million as well. May and Otzelberger have smaller buyouts, with May’s believed to be around $7 million and Otzelberger’s around $4 million.”

CBS Sports: Tommy Lloyd ‘makes sense’ at North Carolina

Isaac Trotter writes: “Tommy Lloyd has crushed it at every stop. He was one of the top assistants in the country, helping Gonzaga turn into a national powerhouse. He’s been equally as impressive at Arizona, leading the Wildcats to three second-weekend appearances in his first four seasons. Arizona has earned two No. 1 seeds, two No. 2 seeds and a No. 4 seed in Lloyd’s five-year tenure. Lloyd is 135-45 across five seasons in Arizona. Lloyd’s fifth team could be his best team. Arizona is a legitimate National Championship contender this season, and Lloyd has done it with expert recruiting in every avenue: He’s a feared recruiter in the international market, he can dip into the portal for studs, and he can land five-star talent consistently, including Koa Peat and Brayden Burries in the 2025 class. Offense-first team? Sure. Defense-first team? No problem. Little bit of this, little bit of that? Indeed. Lloyd can win with any style, although his ethos is built on dominating the paint and crushing opponents with a powerful transition attack. Lloyd has outstanding ties to Team USA as well. He is as connected as anybody at the top of the food chain.”

Could Tommy Lloyd leave Arizona for North Carolina The Wildcats coach is included on a lot of potential candidates lists to replace Hubert Davis at UNC.

Fayetteville Observer: Tommy Lloyd would be ‘home-run’ hire for North Carolina

Rodd Baxley writes: “Like Golden, Lloyd would qualify as a home-run hire. And like Golden, the buyout situation could be tricky for UNC. Lloyd, 53, has won more than 80% of his games in five seasons at Arizona. After spending 22 seasons as an assistant under Few at Gonzaga, Lloyd has become one of the top leaders in the nation. His teams are consistently good on both ends of the floor and perennial national contenders. But would a West Coast guy want to make the move across the country if things are going so well in Tucson?”

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: North Carolina coach candidates lists include Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd

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