Congratulations: North Carolina Tar Heels Appoint NBA Legend Brad Daugherty as New Assistant Head Coach
CHAPEL HILL — The familiar echoes of victory and tradition rang a little louder through Dean Smith Center this morning as the North Carolina Tar Heels made a historic announcement: NBA legend and Tar Heel alumnus Brad Daugherty is returning to his roots—this time, as the new assistant head coach.
For Daugherty, the journey has come full circle. Once a towering presence in the paint for UNC in the 1980s under legendary coach Dean Smith, he went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft and an All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But beyond the stats and accolades, it’s Daugherty’s leadership, humility, and lifelong loyalty to Chapel Hill that made him the perfect fit.
In a press conference filled with emotion, Daugherty spoke candidly: “I owe so much to this program. It shaped me into the man I became on and off the court. Now it’s time to give back—to mentor these young men the same way Coach Smith and this community mentored me.”
The current head coach, Hubert Davis, welcomed the move with open arms. “Brad brings more than basketball IQ,” Davis said. “He brings heart, experience, and the kind of mentorship that can transform players’ lives.”
As fans packed the arena for the team’s first spring workout under the new coaching staff, it was clear the Tar Heels weren’t just gaining a coach—they were welcoming home a legend. And for a new generation of players in Carolina blue, Brad Daugherty’s presence promises more than just wins—it offers a living link to the program’s storied past and a guiding hand toward a championship future.
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