Tommy Lloyd Addresses UNC HC Rumors Ahead of Arizona's Final Four Game vs. Michigan

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd addressed rumors linking him to North Carolina's head coaching vacancy on Thursday.

"I've got my full focus on this team," Lloyd said, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. "Nothing is distracting me. That's how I've decided to approach it."

"I'm 100 percent locked in on Arizona basketball right now," he added. "I'm excited to see what this team can do. I have a real strong belief in this team, and this team deserves my full attention. So that's what I'm giving them."

The Wildcats are currently preparing to face Michigan in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA tournament on Saturday.

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wolken brought up Lloyd as a potential candidate that the Tar Heels "will and should initially target" on March 24.

Meanwhile, North Carolina is searching for a new head coach after firing Hubert Davis at the end of the team's 2025-26 season. The Tar Heels finished with a 24-9 record, but lost to VCU in the first round of March Madness.

ESPN's Dan Wetzel reported Thursday that there's belief North Carolina is willing to hire a non-alumni or former assistant as its next head coach for the first time since 1952. Lloyd doesn't have any history as a member of the Tar Heels.

It isn't hard to imagine him being a top candidate for North Carolina, as he's compiled a 148-35 record across five seasons with Arizona. The Wildcats have made NCAA tournament appearances in each year under Lloyd.

This season, they own a 36-2 record and have won the Big 12 regular-season title as well as the conference championship.

While Lloyd hasn't completely denied the rumors surrounding him and North Carolina, he appears to be solely focused on the Final Four.

Arizona and Michigan will face off on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET.