Bruce Pearl bemoans firing of Hubert Davis: ‘There is no loyalty anymore’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl isn’t a fan of the news that North Carolina has moved on from Hubert Davis after 5 seasons at the helm of the Tar Heels program.
North Carolina decided to fire Davis on Tuesday after another disappointing finish in the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina fell in Round 1 to VCU, with Davis struggling to recover from Caleb Wilson’s injury around midseason. Now, one of the best jobs in college basketball is open for the taking.
For Pearl, the circumstances surrounding Davis’ firing just don’t quite sit right. He said as much on Thursday night, insisting that there is no more loyalty in coaching college basketball:
“If Hubert Davis, who has had such a great career, with his character and everything like that, can get let go because he didn’t win enough with his best player got hurt… that’s why I’m sitting here, guys. That’s part of the reason why I’m sitting here, because there is no loyalty anymore.
Of course, Pearl’s decision to leave Auburn just before the start of this season is absolutely relevant when considering this quote. In a way, Pearl forced Auburn to be loyal to he and his son, Steven, who now serves as head coach for the Tigers. Also, Pearl himself has admitted that nepotism had a hand in his son taking the Auburn job.
The idea that North Carolina owes Hubert Davis more than 5 seasons with 1 strong postseason finish to show for it (by North Carolina standards) is definitely debatable. Davis failed to win an NCAA Tournament game in 2 of his 5 seasons at North Carolina, and in 2025 he won a first four matchup before losing in the Round of 64. That’s 3/5 seasons not making the second weekend. At Auburn – especially before Pearl arrived there — that may be acceptable. At UNC it’s a different story.
Several big names, including Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, have been mentioned as candidates to replace Davis. Here’s a look at the latest odds to become North Carolina’s next head coach, per Kalshi:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
