Monday, October 5, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

UNC Would Owe Hubert Davis $5.31M If Fired After Early Tournament Exit

The Tar Heels were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after a first-round loss to VCU.

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis instructs his team against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

March Madness is often a precursor to the offseason’s coaching carousel, and the first big name that could be on the chopping block is UNC head coach Hubert Davis.

On Thursday, the No. 6 Tar Heels lost to No. 11 VCU in overtime after blowing a 19-point lead, the second consecutive season UNC has been eliminated in the first round. 

Davis has had an up-and-down tenure since taking over for Roy Williams in 2021. It started by leading the Tar Heels to the national championship game in his first season. UNC received the No. 1 preseason rank the following season, but finished 20–13 (11–9 in the ACC) and missed the tournament. In 2024, they nabbed the No. 1 seed but fell in the Sweet 16.

Despite the shaky performance, Davis received a two-year extension last year that pushed his deal until 2030.

The University of North Carolina would owe Davis $5.31 million if they fired him by April 1, according to the terms of his contract viewed by Front Office Sports. The school would have to pay him the remaining base salary in his deal, which is worth $1.25 million per year until the 2030 season.

Davis’s contract is pro-rated, meaning he is owed about $104,000 per month until the end of June 2030. 

On top of his base salary, Davis also receives “supplemental compensation” annually that started at $1.7 million during the 2024–25 season and increases by $100,000 every year. He would receive an additional $2.2 million in the 2029–30 season.

The contract also includes several incentives outside of his base salary, including $100,000 every time he leads UNC into March Madness. He would receive a total of $1 million for a national championship run.

But UNC would not have to pay out supplemental compensation or any additional benefits upon Davis’s termination.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detail view of an NCAA basketball in the hoop during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ohio Court Reverses Grandfathering of Athletes Into NCAA Eligibility

Parallel litigation remains ongoing in several states.

College Basketball Player in ICE Custody Allowed to Re-Open Case

Kentucky State’s Senegalese center was detained at the airport on Aug. 7.

Ted Cruz: Critics of ESPN ‘College GameDay’ Appearance ‘Partisans’

The Texas Republican defended his appearance in an interview with FOS.
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers watches the season opener against Mercyhurst on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.

ASU Hockey Coach Greg Powers Put On Leave After Player’s Collapse

The move follows growing public pressure from fans, parents, and lawmakers.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/5/26 – Fox Drops Barstool, Commanders Eye Spear Logo, Colorado’s Leaked Playbook

0:00

Featured Today

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.

New-Look Pac-12 Returns for First Week of Conference Play

It’s a milestone many thought unlikely just three years ago.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team as they play UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018, in Tempe.
October 2, 2026

ASU Commissions Independent Investigation of Hockey Workout

Coach Greg Powers was placed on leave earlier this week.
October 3, 2026

NCAA Defers to ACC on Controversial Pitt–Virginia Tech Ending

The ACC declined to comment on the play call.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks with New York Yankees president Randy Levine as they attend a roundtable event on collegiate sports at the White House in Washington, D.C., March 6, 2026.
Exclusive
October 2, 2026

SEC and Big Ten Don’t Want to Expand: Randy Levine

Levine argued amending the conference realignment provision would be unnecessary.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; A detailed view of the College Football Playoff logo on the pylon during the game between the Miami Hurricanes and Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
October 2, 2026

ESPN’s Exclusive Window Closes Next Week As 24-Team CFP Looms

The College Football Playoff has until Dec. 1 to expand for 2027.
Exclusive
October 1, 2026

Where Does New Big East Commissioner Stand on PE?

Commissioner Tim Brosnan told FOS that PE firms have approached the league.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team before a game against UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018,
October 1, 2026

ASU Hockey Coach Administrative Leave Isn’t Enough: Attorneys

They also renewed their calls for an independent investigation.