The price for North Carolina’s latest March Madness failure could be $5.3 million, but an insider suggests the Tar Heels may be exploring a less costly and more calculated exit for head coach Hubert Davis, who has led the program since 2021. The 55-year-old led UNC to a Final Four appearance in 2022 and the ACC regular season title in 2024. Having played for the UNC basketball team during his college days, Davis was expected to continue the legacy established by Roy Williams, who coached the program to 3 NCAA titles.

However, it has not panned out that way, with UNC unable to move past the first round in the NCAA Tournament in three of its last four years under Davis. And after the Tar Heels’ latest exit, thanks to the overtime loss to the 11-seed VCU Rams, the coach’s future is up in the air. The decision will be a hefty one for UNC, especially if they fire Davis on April 1, with a buyout exceeding $5 million.

Senior College Sports Writer for ESPN, Pete Thamel, joined the College GameDay show and provided updates on Davis’ future. Thamel said, “There’s not an expectation that UNC is going to fire Hubert Davis. I’ve been told that some type of orchestrated resignation has been discussed and is a potential outcome here for Hubert Davis and UNC. Davis did meet the Tar Heel team yesterday. He did not tip his hand or give any clarity on the future.”

The collapse against the VCU Rams is viewed as unforgivable, with Davis watching his UNC team give up a 19-point second-half lead before losing in overtime. While the buyout is a hefty amount, his connection to UNC dates back to his own college days. The 55-year-old could entertain a lower compensation package and navigate a mutual exit. The Tar Heels faced a similar situation in 2003, when deteriorating performances led Matt Doherty to resign and Williams to replace him, ushering in a highly successful era at UNC.

While UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham clarified that no decision has been made on the head coach’s future, there is pressure on the program to decide whether to enter the next season with or without Davis. If UNC decides on a coaching change, one interesting name pops up as a likely candidate.

Nate Oats could be the ideal option to replace Hubert Davis at UNC

While several top coaching names will be linked with the UNC men’s basketball team job, Alabama head coach Nate Oats could present an ideal replacement option, given his exploits with the Crimson Tide. The biggest problem with Hubert Davis has been consistency and motivation, traits that Oats has championed at Alabama. The 51-year-old joined them in 2019 and has since lifted the program back into contention in the SEC. Their Final Four appearance in 2024 was a testament to Oats’ ability to achieve significant results without having standouts on the roster.

Four Sweet 16 appearances in the last five years and a potential fifth this year are proof that Oats can provide the consistency UNC has been missing. Meanwhile, Davis had one of the top NBA Draft prospects in Caleb Wilson this year, and still failed to move past the first round. Oats’ Alabama could set up a Sweet 16 clash with Michigan if they move past Texas Tech, cementing another consistent year for the Crimson Tide. His analytics-driven and three-point-heavy approach to basketball could herald a new era for UNC, emphasizing the value of outside shooting.

Nate Oats’ way of handling the controversies surrounding his Alabama team this year, while achieving a similar overall record to his last two years with the Crimson Tide, is commendable. While the entire Charles Bediako saga drew criticism of the program, Alabama prevailed over Hofstra despite missing one of its leading scorers, Aden Holloway, who is off the team after a substance-related arrest. However, Oats has continued to back Bediako even after the court ruling and again showed support for Holloway, despite his actions.

Nate Oats reportedly has an $18 million buyout in his new Alabama deal if he leaves for a team before April 1, which lines up with when UNC is likely to decide on Davis’ future. We could probably see UNC pursue Oats once March Madness ends. Davis is still the coach, but the writing seems to be on the wall. And Oats could be the one to lead the Tar Heels into a new and more successful era.