Sports · Basketball · 41 mins ago
Michael Malone Shares Moment With Roy Williams Before UNC Opener
North Carolina coach Michael Malone shared a moment with Roy Williams before the Tar Heels' season opener against Western Carolina.
The game in Chapel Hill marked Malone's first official game as UNC head coach.
Malone was hired in April 2026 and has coached in the NBA, including leading the Denver Nuggets to a championship in 2023.
He is the first UNC head coach since 1952 without earlier ties as a player or assistant in the program.
The change marks a break from a long line of coaches with Carolina connections, including Williams.
Malone also brought 11 newcomers into a heavily reshaped roster, while three scholarship players from last season returned, according to the pregame coverage.
UNC's season began with a home game against Western Carolina at the Smith Center.
UNC coach Michael Malone shared a moment with former coach Roy Williams before the Tar Heels’ season opener against Western Carolina.
The game marked Malone’s first official game as UNC’s head coach.
UNC hosted Western Carolina at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill on November 2, 2026.
Malone was hired as UNC’s head coach on April 7, 2026.
The Tar Heels entered the opener after going 2-1 in preseason games.
- Who
- UNC coach Michael Malone and former coach Roy Williams.
- What
- Malone shared a moment with Williams before UNC’s season opener against Western Carolina.
- When
- Before the game on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The opener was at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill; the sources do not specify where the moment took place.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
UNC hired Michael Malone as its 21st head coach.
The Tar Heels went 2-1 in their exhibition games.
UNC hosted Western Carolina in its season opener, Malone’s first official game as head coach.
- Head coach
- Michael Malone
- Former coach
- Roy Williams
- Opponent
- Western Carolina
- Venue
- Smith Center, Chapel Hill
- Game date
- November 2, 2026
- Preseason record
- 2-1
4 sources
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Michael Malone shares moment with Roy Williams before UNC basketball vs Western Carolina
Michael Malone Set for First Official Game as UNC Basketball's Head Coach
Malone Era Set To Begin Officially Monday Vs. Western Carolina
What people are saying
I'm looking forward to that moment.
My first official game as the head coach with such a storied program.