Michael Malone details his plan to make UNC fanbase PROUD

Jon Rothstein sits down with new North Carolina head coach Michael Malone on Inside College Basketball Now for a wide-ranging conversation about his path to Chapel Hill and the challenge of leading one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

Malone looks back on coaching at Providence in the 1990s, reflects on the whirlwind four months that led him to UNC, and discusses what it means to take over the Tar Heels despite coming from outside the Carolina family. He also details his relationship with legendary UNC coach Roy Williams and explains why he initially turned down the job three different times.

Plus, Malone breaks down the differences between talent in the NBA and college basketball, shares his approach to balancing the transfer portal with high school recruiting, previews North Carolina’s 2026-27 roster, and lays out his expectations for Year 1 in Chapel Hill.

0:00 Intro
0:10 Coaching at Providence in the 90s
1:00 How he would describe the last 4 months
2:15 Being hired outside the UNC family
3:55 Michael Malone/Roy Williams relationship
5:05 Turning the job down 3 times
7:00 Talent in NBA vs. college
9:15 Portal vs. high school recruiting
11:00 2026-27 roster
12:45 First season goals

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We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.