Hubert Davis announces plans to increase staff, hire GM: 'The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn't work'

As the college athletics landscape continues to change, general managers are emerging as key parts of coaching staffs. Programs across the country added the position to help with roster building, as well as NIL and fundraising efforts.

North Carolina men’s basketball appears to be the next to do so. Hubert Davis confirmed the Tar Heels plan to bring a GM aboard and expand the coaching staff next season.

Davis announced the news on his radio show Monday night, pointing out multiple positions needed to help UNC adapt. In addition to a general manager, he said a video coordinator and graphics and recruiting coordinator will also be in the plans.

“The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work,” Davis said. “It’s not sustainable. It has to build out because there’s so many things in play with NIL, the transfer portal, agents, international players.

“You just need a bigger staff to be able to maintain things. You need a bigger staff so I can do what I’m supposed to be doing, and that’s coaching basketball.” 

Hubert Davis: There’s ‘so much on the plate’

In the ACC, programs such as Duke, Boston College and Syracuse have all added the general manager position. Of course, the highest-profile GM in college basketball is Adrian Wojnarowski, who left his job as ESPN’s NBA insider to take the role at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.

On the football side, North Carolina football quickly brought a general manager aboard under new head coach Bill Belichick. Michael Lombardi, who worked in the same role in the NFL, took the job and is one of the most visible people in the program through the early part of Belichick’s tenure.

As for how exactly the staff will look next year, Davis said that’s still in the works. But amid more looming changes in college sports – coupled with North Carolina’s up-and-down season following a blowout loss to Duke – his staff will take on a new look.

“I am gonna increase the staff, and it’s needed,” Davis said. “I never would have thought in the four years that I took the job that 100%, what is needed, is a general manager. There’s just so much stuff out there.

“I mentioned owner, GM, fundraiser, basketball coach. It’s so much on the plate that will take you away doing what’s the most important thing, [which] is coaching basketball. Yes, we’re gonna hire a GM. We need a director of marketing and fundraising for NIL, for program needs. There needs to be a video coordinator with graphics and recruiting coordinator. All those different types of stuff that have to be built out, whether it’s from specific hires or grad students.”