Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Agree to New Contract amid UNC Rumors After Hubert Davis' Exit

Tommy Lloyd isn't going anywhere.

The Arizona men's basketball head coach agreed to a five-year extension with the program on Friday, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, that will make him "one of the five highest paid coaches in college basketball" and average $7.5 million per season.

That will put to bed any rumors of North Carolina potentially poaching Lloyd after Hubert Davis was fired.

Arizona later confirmed the extension, though it didn't verify the specifics of the contract's length or value.

"Tommy Lloyd is the best coach in college basketball, and we have a strong conviction in the future of Arizona Basketball under his leadership," Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois said in a statement. "Our program's success this season—winning championships, competing on the sport's biggest stage and excelling academically—is a testament to the standard that he and his staff have established. He has recruited and developed student-athletes of character who make a positive impact on our team, our campus and our community. Tommy has strengthened our foundation while honoring the tradition that makes Arizona Basketball one of the premier programs in the country, and we are thrilled that he will continue to lead this program at the highest level for years to come."

Lloyd, 51, has led Arizona to a 36-2 record this season and a berth in the Final Four. Under his watch, the Wildcats have gone 148-35 across five seasons, with five NCAA tournament appearances, with three regular-season conference championships and three conference tournament championships.

While rumors swirled about UNC's potential interest, Lloyd maintained his focus was on leading Arizona to a national championship.

"I'm a simple guy. I'm kind of just one thing at a time. I'm not a multitasker," he told reporters Thursday when asked about the North Carolina vacancy. "You can ask my wife. So, I'm 100 percent locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and 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."

The Wildcats will face Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV/HBO Max).