Turns out Ol’ Roy signed off on Hubert Davis long ago as a Tar Heel

PHOTO: Roy Williams and Hubert Davis coaching from the sidelines. By TOM SHANAHAN All that was needed before Hubert Davis was officially introduced as North Carolina’s new basketball coach was to hear his predecessor had signed off on the promotion from assistant coach. Turns out Roy Williams had endorsed Davis as a Tar Heel long before the Monday announcement and the formal press conference on Tuesday at the Dean E. Smith Center. If he hadn’t, Davis' historic hiring…

Continue ReadingTurns out Ol’ Roy signed off on Hubert Davis long ago as a Tar Heel

Hubert Davis slides over on bench to succeed Roy Williams

PHOTO: Hubert Davis instructing the Tar Heels in a team huddle. By TOM SHANAHAN The North Carolina tradition fueled the logic and speculation. Now it’s reality. The Tar Heels promoted assistant Hubert Davis to head coach, following a pattern of that dates back 70 years – long enough to encompasses Dean Smith sliding over from assistant to head coach in the 1961-62 season. The job opened up only four days ago when Roy Williams announced his surprise retirement.…

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Hiring Hubert Davis is the Carolina Way and fulfills the Smith legacy

PHOTO (UNC Athletics): Hubert Davis. By TOM SHANAHAN The North Carolina basketball head coach succession has been infrequent but consistent for 70 years. The Tar Heels have stayed in the family starting with Frank McGuire (1952-61) to promoting of top assistant Dean Smith (1961-97). Then came the elevation of Smith's top assistant, Bill Guthridge (1997-2000), to hiring former Smith player Matt Doherty (2000-03), although Dohery was as a second choice to former Smith assistant Roy Williams. Ol' Roy…

Continue ReadingHiring Hubert Davis is the Carolina Way and fulfills the Smith legacy