After a run as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, Michael Malone took a year off and waited patiently for a new opportunity to come his way.
There was an expectation that Malone would be a top priority for NBA teams with an opening in 2026. However, a top NCAA program had eyes on him.
On Monday, it was revealed that Malone is joining the University of North Carolina program as its new head coach.
The former three-time NBA champion, Danny Green, spoke about the move that was made by his former school.
Danny Green Endorses UNC’s Michael Malone Hire After A Nuggets Stint
“Since day one, I’ve known him as a rookie coach,” Green said. “… Mike Malone would come in, get on the board, draw some s*** up, and it was like magic. He knows that.”
The veteran sharpshooter mentioned that Malone had a fan in LeBron James during his days as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As much as Malone’s Xs and Os impress his peers, Green sees a lot of value beyond that.
“The biggest thing is not his coaching, of course, but the biggest thing is the recruits,” Green continued.
“He’s from New York. You know he’s got to get the gift to gab. He’s going to figure out how to get some guys in, talk them through, and what kid won’t want to play for a professional coach that has ties to the league and knows how to develop players in the league and knows what GMs and coaches are looking for at the next level? I think he’s a really good fit.”
Malone left Denver with over a decade of head coaching experience. In 2023, he coached the Nuggets to an NBA Championship. While the NCAA and the NBA are two different worlds, Malone has experience in both the NBA and college from his earliest days of coaching.
Either way, he’ll be a strong draw for incoming players, who are looking to develop and take the next step to land in the NBA.