Coach K Reacts to UNC's Reported Michael Malone Hire, Highlights Bill Belichick Losing to Duke

North Carolina reportedly intends to hire former NBA champion head coach Michael Malone as its next head coach.

But as Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski was quick to remind people during an appearance The Pat McAfee Show, the Tar Heels hiring Bill Belichick from the NFL ranks didn't exactly pay dividends in the 2025 season:

"That doesn't mean Coach Belichick isn't a great coach," Krzyzewski quickly added. "There is time for adjustment. That's why I said it takes longer, if you ever get adjusted coming from the pros to college. [Malone] is terrific coach and a terrific guy. There's a learning curve. If [reports of his hiring at UNC] are true, whatever the reasoning is, maybe they're changing. They have now two pro coaches coaching in college. The infrastructure of their athletic department, is it now going to become more of a pro organization? Which I think everybody should be doing that. The fact that [Malone] knows how to do that, and so does Coach Belichick, maybe that's a sign they're moving in that direction organizationally."

Granted, if anything could coalesce UNC fans around the very surprising Malone hiring, it would be Coach K taking a tongue-in-cheek dig at the school.

Malone's inexperience at the college level—namely when it comes to recruiting or managing the transfer portal—is a major question mark. There's little doubt he can handle the X's and O's part, however.

There will likely be an adjustment period, just as Belichick faced. It may not work. But it's hard to argue against UNC taking a big swing by hiring an established and respected basketball mind.