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While the news of Hubert Davis’s hire was not a shock to those who follow UNC basketball closely, especially with the premium placed on the “Carolina Family,” the timing of the announcement was a bit of a surprise. No need to wait to interview coaches still in the tournament, Bubba Cunningham was ready to pull the trigger. While the introductory press conference is this afternoon, the congratulations have been pouring in since Carolina put the news out yesterday on Twitter.
Here is a rundown of some of the notables.
Recent Players
well deserved ! https://t.co/U231XCpAmQ
— RJ Davis (@ariidavis_) April 5, 2021
This is it!!!!!! real tears!
— Kennedy Meeks (@Asapmeeks03) April 5, 2021
Yeahhh HD!!! https://t.co/XJxV8vvwfd
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) April 5, 2021
So happy for my guy!! Deserved!!! https://t.co/eRZjlgBnSI
— Kenny Williams III (@KWill_24) April 5, 2021
HD❤️❤️ https://t.co/8a7Lm2DMmf
— Nassir Little (@2ez_nassie) April 5, 2021
There’s only one right answer!
— Brandon Robinson (@BRob_4) April 5, 2021
Let’s gooo https://t.co/TWZweQKtIC
— Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) April 5, 2021
— Christian Keeling (@ckeeling_11) April 5, 2021
Let’s go!!!!!!! https://t.co/9ofi0TOHU2
— Justin Pierce (@JustinPierce23) April 5, 2021
Leaky Black showing love for his new head coach in Chapel Hill #CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/XWLT56l96k
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) April 6, 2021
SO HAPPY FOR COACH DAVIS #CarolinaFamily
— KJ Smith (@K30SMITH) April 5, 2021
Colleagues (Coaching and ESPN)
I’m so excited for Hubert. A great man who loves Carolina. Wishing you the best of luck, my friend. Can’t wait to work with you. https://t.co/OvFhJhWjva
— Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown) April 5, 2021
Huuuuuuubert Davis!!! The tradition @UNC_Basketball will continue on!!! IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A TAR HEEL!!! #GDTBATH #TarHeelNation #GoHeels
— Dré Bly (@drebly_32) April 6, 2021
Thank you, Jesus!
— Courtney Banghart (@CoachBanghart) April 5, 2021
Proof that nice guys (and shot makers) do, in fact, finish first.
So thrilled you’re the choice, Hubert.
Go Heels!! https://t.co/glyk005aUR
Congratulations to Hubert on being named the new head coach at UNC. Class act. https://t.co/DMDZLXtsTU
— Matt Doherty (@DohertyMatt) April 5, 2021
Happy for my brother Hubert Davis. So many ppl don’t understand that UNC isn’t a Bball program, it’s a 5th generation family. Hubert is the connector bc he played for Coach Smith and coached with Roy.. He’ll do well
— LeVelle Moton (@LeVelleMoton) April 5, 2021
Cue the fight song ! ❤️Congratulations HD! #GoHeels https://t.co/VxpRtudUx4
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) April 5, 2021
Congratulations Coach Davis!!!
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 5, 2021
Once a Knick, Always a Knick https://t.co/lTS5Okp1mg
He will be amazing! @UNC_Basketball https://t.co/SveDi3RpDl
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) April 5, 2021
Congrats HD!!! https://t.co/YXmScBCA65
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) April 5, 2021
I had the honor to work alongside Hubert for many years at ESPN, and I simply don’t know a better person. Don’t let the smile and laugh fool you, Hubert is a cutthroat competitor with an uncommon understanding of the game. And, he bleeds Carolina Blue. Hubert is the real deal. https://t.co/wktuL4snTn
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 5, 2021
Carolina Twitter Royalty
Hubert Davis is a perfect representation of Carolina Basketball at every level, and is tied to both Michael Jordan & Pat Riley. He sacrificed to come home to Chapel Hill, and I’ll give him my full support if he’s the next Head Coach at North Carolina.
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) April 5, 2021
Hubert Davis would be the 4th North Carolina head coach in the NCAA Tournament era (since 1939) without previous head coaching experience
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) April 5, 2021
The previous 3 reached the Final Four
Ben Carnvevale (1946)
Dean Smith (1967-69, 72, 77, 81-82, 91, 93, 95, 97)
Bill Guthridge (1998, 2000)
Before Hubert Davis ever put on a UNC jersey, he had doubters about what he could achieve. Even a guy named Dean Smith had doubts.
— nbabeau (@NBABeau) April 5, 2021
Hubert Davis proved them all wrong as a player.
I expect him to do the same thing as a coach.
Let's go!
Welcome to the club. pic.twitter.com/ISakn7Iqsr
— Christopher Jaques (@Cjaques4) April 5, 2021
Coach Davis has about 15 minutes to bask in the love and well wishes of his friends, colleagues, and fans before he has to get to work fine-tuning his staff, talking to the current team to make sure everyone’s sticking around, then plunging into the transfer portal to fill out the roster. Best of luck, Coach!