The basketball world was stunned on Monday, April 6, as the former Denver Nuggets head coach, Michael Malone, took on a job in the NCAA.
With the University of North Carolina vacancy being all of the talk around college basketball and the NBA, it was clear that the next move would send shockwaves across the sport. Still, this wasn’t expected.
If the Tar Heels plucked a head coach from the NBA, the masses expected it to be Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.
Instead, the ex-Nuggets head coach verbally agrees to take on the position roughly one year after getting let go in Denver.
Denver Nuggets Fans Sound Off Over Michael Malone’s Next Move
GettyDENVER, CO – MARCH 12: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on March 12, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Here are some of the top reactions from Denver Nuggets Reddit:
“Good for Moach. Wish him nothing but success,” BAmcGhee wrote.
“Fantastic move for both parties, I’ll be rooting him on!” said IdRatherBeLurkingToo
“F*** it Iâll be a UNC fan for Moach,” said Active-Big-3676
“I think heâs good enough to coach in the nba but obviously wish him success wherever he goes,” MrTotnum added.
“Damn what an epic hire for them,” holdenfords said.
“Good for him, it’s one of the most prestigious jobs in all of basketball. Honestly, his personality seems better suited for college anyway (though he probably would’ve been even better pre NIL). I hope he finds success there,” said Crinnie.
“I will always root for Malone. He was a great coach and I was disappointed when they let him go,” wesskywalker said.
“Malone has always been really good at developing young guys so I think heâll do well at the college level,” GoodCharacter5520 added.
Michael Malone’s Coaching History
GettyDenver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone yells. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Malone hasn’t held a position in coaching college basketball since 2001. When he did, he was an assistant at Manhattan University. Before that, he had runs at Providence and Oakland.
In 2001, Malone made the jump to the NBA. He landed an assistant position with the New York Knicks. That fired up years of bouncing around, joining organizations such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets, and the Golden State Warriors.
The Sacraento Kings gave Malone his first head coaching position.
He would last two seasons with the Kings. Similar to now, Malone didn’t last on the free agency market for long. He found a job with the Denver Nuggets in the following year. That fired up a decade-long run in Denver, Colorado.
Malone helped deliver the NBA Finals victory in 2022-2023, as the 53-29 Nuggets went on to win the championship.
While Malone was still going strong with the Nuggets in 2024-2025 (47-32 record at his firing), the Nuggets wanted a fresh start as soon as possible.
After spending some time as an on-air analyst, Malone will get back on a bench, coaching UNC for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.
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