Sports - The Daily Tar Heel

Assistant coach Hubert Davis raises his eyebrows at Nate Britt during practice. The UNC men's basketball team held an open practice at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thursday. The Tar Heels will face Providence in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

UNC will hire Hubert Davis to be its new men's basketball head coach

By Brian Keyes | Apr. 5

Hubert Davis will be the new head coach of the North Carolina men's basketball team, the Raleigh News & Observer reported on Monday. Davis, an assistant coach on Roy Williams' bench for the past nine years and a player at UNC under Dean Smith from 1988-1992, will ascend to the position after Williams announced his retirement on April 1. He will be the first Black head coach in program history.

UNC sophomore Danny Serretti (1) leaps after throwing the ball during the Tar Heels' 1-6 loss against N.C. State on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

UNC baseball loses to No. 18 Florida State, 4-2, creating winner-take-all game three

By Asheebo Rojas | Apr. 4

After a narrow win in Friday’s game one, the UNC baseball team (14-11, 9-8 ACC) failed to keep its recent success going on Saturday, falling to No. 18 Florida State (14-9, 9-8 ACC), 4-2.

Sophomore defenseman Matt Wright (20) tries block a High Point opponent. UNC wins against High Point 27-12 at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.

No. 2 UNC men's lacrosse falls on the road to No. 1 Duke in overtime

By Kaitlyn Schmidt | Apr. 3

The No. 2 UNC men’s lacrosse team played a barnburner against the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils on Thursday and fell in overtime, 12-11.

UNC redshirt sophomore starting pitcher Austin Love delivers a pitch during Carolina's 8-1 season-opening victory over James Madison at Boshamer Stadium, Feb. 19, 2021.

UNC baseball opens series against No. 18 Florida State with a victory on Friday

By Asheebo Rojas | Apr. 3

Coming off a four-game that included a series sweep by rival N.C. State last weekend, the Tar Heels had to dig deep to pull out a narrow 4-3 win on Friday against No. 18 Florida State.

University of North Carolina coach Roy Williams, left, embraces former coach Dean Smith during the Celebration of a Century at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Friday, February 12, 2010. This is the 100th year of Carolina basketball. (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

Column: Roy Williams thought he couldn't be Dean Smith. Now UNC is looking for the next Roy

By Hunter Nelson | Apr. 1

Dean Smith inherited a program in turmoil and built it into a powerhouse. A half-century later, Roy Williams took that dying power that went 8-20 in 2002 and cut down the nets in just three years’ time.

"I no longer feel that I am the right man for the job," said UNC head coach Roy Williams on his decision to retire. Williams announced his retirement at a press conference in the Smith Center on April 1, 2021.

'I've been so, so lucky': Roy Williams announces his retirement after Hall of Fame career

By Zachary Crain | Apr. 1

"I’ve been so, so lucky,” head coach Roy Williams said. “For the rest of my life, I’ll always say that I was a coach. And that’s the proudest moment of my life.”

UNC head coach Roy Williams tears up during his retirement announcement press conference in the Smith Center on April 1, 2021. "I no longer feel that I am the right man for the job," said Williams on the decision.

'Right man' or not, Roy Williams retires as a UNC icon and college basketball legend

By Ryan Wilcox | Apr. 1

After 33 seasons, 903 wins and three national championships, the head coach and forever Tar Heel announced his retirement on Thursday, closing the book on a legendary career.

Duke's head coach Mike Krzyzewski (left) and North Carolina's head coach Roy Williams (right) greet each other at halftime during the game against Duke in the Smith Center on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2020. UNC lost to Duke 98-96.

Basketball coaches recognize Roy Williams' storied career after his retirement

By Ryan Heller | Apr. 1

NCAA basketball coaches around the country sent their regards to Williams after he announced his retirement Thursday.

Head Coach Roy Williams speaks to the press after the game against N.C. State in the Smith Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. UNC beat N.C. State 85-79.

Former DTH sports editors tell their Roy Williams stories

By Brian Keyes | Apr. 1

After UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams announced his retirement on Thursday, senior writer Brian Keyes reached out to several previous sports editors of The Daily Tar Heel to ask them about their thoughts on the moment and their memories of the Hall of Fame coach. Here's what they had to say.

Senior Katie Weber and First-year Sarah Weber are sisters who have bonded over UNC basketball since going to Carolina. "It was so exciting to see how energetic he was about the team" Sarah said about head Coach Roy Williams.

'Indelible legacy': UNC students reflect on Roy Williams' impact

By Elizabeth Egan and Madison Ward | Apr. 1

UNC students reacted to coach Williams' impact on campus culture and their time at UNC. "It’s been both humbling and inspiring to watch a leader like coach Williams accomplish the feats he has accomplished. Roy Williams will forever be a Tar Heel," first-year Vance Young said.

Head Coach Roy Williams kisses senior guard Kenny Williams (24) on the forehead at the end of UNC's 97-80 loss against Auburn in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, M.O.

'A legend': Former UNC players react to Roy Williams' retirement

By Macy Meyer | Apr. 1

There’s been an outpouring of congratulations, anecdotes and thank-you's from former UNC players. The consensus? Roy Williams made an impact far beyond the basketball court.

North Carolina guard Joel Berry (2) is met by Coach Roy Williams after injuring his ankle in the first half of Sunday's Elite Eight matchup against Kentucky in Memphis.

How Roy Williams' retirement could impact UNC's recruiting

By Jeremiah Holloway | Apr. 1

With the retirement of legendary UNC head coach Roy Williams, North Carolina is faced with the reality of establishing a new recruiting strategy.

UNC Greensboro head coach and former UNC guard Wes Miller applauds retiring head basketball Coach Roy Williams as he exits the Dean Dome following his retirement press conference. Miller is a potential replacement for Coach Williams.

After three national championships and countless wins, who could replace Roy Williams?

By PJ Morales | Apr. 1

After 33 seasons of Division I head coaching, UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams announced he'd be stepping away from the game. So now, the Tar Heel faithful are faced with the question they never wanted to ask themselves: Who could replace Roy?

UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams and the bench observe the game between UNC and Duke. UNC lost 89-76 in Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 7, 2020.

Here's how to get your Daily Tar Heel Roy Williams retirement special edition

By Praveena Somasundaram | Apr. 1

The Daily Tar Heel's Roy Williams retirement special edition was released Friday, April 2. Here's how to get your copy:

UNC head coach Roy Williams gives a speech on senior night in the Dean Dome on March 6, 2021. The Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils 91-73.

UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams announces his retirement

By PJ Morales | Apr. 1

Roy Williams, the head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team and a 2007 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, is retiring, the athletic department announced on Thursday.

UNC senior pitcher Shawn Gage Gillian (15) pitches the ball during the Tar Heels' 1-6 loss against N.C. State on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Preview: No. 21 UNC baseball looks to get back on track against No. 18 Florida State

By Jeremiah Holloway | Mar. 31

UNC has had its troubles on the road this season, evident in the team's 3-5 record away from Boshamer Stadium. Here are key factors that will dictate the outcome of this week's critical ACC showdown against No. 18 Florida State.

UNC sophomore left-handed pitcher Will Sandy (41) attempts to pick off ECU outfielder Bryson Worrell at first base during the Tar Heels' game against East Carolina University at Boshamer Stadium on March 23, 2021. The Tar Heels defeated the Pirates 8-1.

UNC baseball drops fourth straight game after late collapse against East Carolina

By Brian Keyes | Mar. 31

"I've said earlier that I think this team's got toughness," head coach Scott Forbes said. "Obviously, we've lost four in a row. And they've been tough losses. But it didn't surprise me that they would come ready to play. I mean, that's kind of group we have and they're not going to quit, they're going to keep playing."

Erin Matson (1) races Duke player for ball in a game that UNC won 2-0, marking their 33rd consecutive victory.

Preview: These three things can help UNC field hockey beat Duke yet again

By Madi Kirkman | Mar. 31

The North Carolina women's field hockey team will rival Duke on Friday at 2 p.m. in Karen Shelton Stadium after its last game against Boston College was postponed due to COVID-19 issues. The team will be looking to add another victory to its perfect 2-0 start this spring and overall 12-1 record.

UNC sophomore outfielder Justice Thompson (20) offers at a pitch during the Tar Heels' game against East Carolina University at Boshamer Stadium on March 23, 2021. The Tar Heels defeated the Pirates 8-1.

No. 21 UNC baseball falls to No. 8 East Carolina, 11-10, for fourth straight loss

By Brian Keyes | Mar. 31

The No. 21 North Carolina baseball (13-10, 8-7) team lost to No. 8 East Carolina (18-5,0-0), 11-10, on Tuesday night after an eighth inning collapse that saw the Tar Heels squander a four-run lead in the eighth inning to lose on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

Anton Down-Jenkins dives during a meet against Virginia in Koury Natatorium on Friday, January 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of Jeff Camarati.

UNC men's swimming and diving caps off season with solid finish at NCAA Championships

By Tim Yeung | Mar. 30

The North Carolina men's swimming and diving team capped off a strong season at the NCAA Championships, as three players returned to Chapel Hill with All-America honors.