Duke Current, Former Coach Feel for Davis After UNC Firing

Despite being rivals, the Blue Devils' recent coaches showed sympathy for the 55-year-old coach.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

It has been nine days since the North Carolina Tar Heels officially parted ways with former head coach Hubert Davis.

While Tar Heels' fans felt that it was time for a change, which it was, there is still the human component, which goes under the radar during drastic moves, such as this one. Last week, Duke Blue Devils' head coach Jon Scheyer and the program's former head coach Mike Krzyzewski shared their thoughts on what transpired.

Scheyer's Thoughts

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer looks on against the UConn Huskies in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

• "I've got a lot of empathy for other coaches, for Hubert, not just the fact of him coaching at the school down the road, but the fact that he played there as well," Scheyer explained. "So, there's the meaning behind it. I understand that obviously well in this position myself."

• "Coaching is a big blessing, but it's also what you sign up for in this business, unfortunately," Scheyer continued. "So, I think this thing is really delicate. I think it's really fragile. I think this week has been an example of that."

Coach K's Thoughts

Nov 11, 2025; West Point, New York, USA; Former Duke Blue Devils and Army head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches a game between the Army Black Knights and Duke Blue Devils at Christl Arena. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images | Danny Wild-Imagn Images

• "Hubert Davis is a good friend. Actually, his wife Leslie - her father, who passed in the last year, was one of my teammates at West Point. I think Hubert's one of the great guys," Krzyzewski said. "I think every coach in the country has sympathy for him. You lose a player the caliber of Caleb Wilson, he's a top-five pick in the NBA Draft, and you don't have him the last few weeks of the season, that's a big thing."

Overall Thoughts

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Ironically, Duke replicated North Carolina's blunder in the first round by blowing a 19-point lead to the Connecticut Huskies in the Elite Eight on Sunday. Granted, the stage was far greater in the Blue Devils' loss, which speaks to the lack of success the Tar Heels have had under Davis for the last five years.

Krzyzewski's sentiment is correct that North Carolina was unlucky to lose its best player, but that is not a valid excuse for blowing a 19-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game against an 11-seed. The 55-year-old coach had to go, and although it is harsh and to the point, North Carolina could not afford to see the gap between itself and Duke grow larger.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of the east regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels administration had to make a change, and a new voice is necessary if this program wants to win at a higher level moving forward.