First Bill Belichick, now Michael Malone: Why UNC again made unexpected hire from pro ranks

Another North Carolina coaching search took an unexpected turn away from the college ranks and into the big leagues. And just like the first, it ended with a championship coach leading one of the Tar Heels’ signature programs.Sixteen months after UNC stunned the sports world by hiring six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick to lead its football team, the school sprung another surprise Monday by tapping former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone to lead the crown jewel of Chapel Hill: North Carolina men’s basketball.North Carolina really needs this big swing to connect.Advertisement