Tommy Lloyd Expands on UNC Comments From Last Week

The North Carolina Tar Heels' season reflected the program's parting ways with former head coach Hubert Davis last week, ending his five-year tenure in Chapel Hill.

Since then, several potential candidates have been named, but Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd has emerged as the favorite to be the next coach of the Tar Heels. The 51-year-old head coach only poured gasoline on the fire with his comments last week following Arizona's win over Purdue in the Elite Eight.

Lloyd's Brow-Raising Comments

Mar 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd shakes hands with Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter before an Elite Eight game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

"You know, the sun may be shining on this team and me coaching it right now, but when it’s shining on you, you got to fight to protect it and build it," Lloyd said. "So that’s what I feel like my number one responsibility is, to fight to protect the program and fight to build it for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me, because you know what, Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you. The place is special."

On Tuesday, Lloyd was asked to elaborate on what he said last week. The veteran head coach was quite defensive in his response, emphasizing that he is not distracted.

What Lloyd Said

Mar 25, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd addresses the media in a press conference during a practice session ahead of the west regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

"It's absolutely true, there is going to be another coach; this is a great program," Lloyd said. "I didn't say when. People are going to speculate all they want. Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing, nothing, I promise you NOTHING, is knocking me off that path. You might call them 'distractions,' but it's because you're distracted. That doesn't mean I'm distracted or we're distracted."

"You know what's pretty cool, once you get experience in this deal, and you're a player or a coach that has been at it a while, you get pretty good at eliminating the distractions," Lloyd continued. "So, I think I'm pretty good at that, and I just can't wait to get to practice today. I'm going to meet with the staff right now. We're probably a little bit late. I'm going to try to have a good practice."

Overall Thoughts

Mar 25, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd talks to his players during a practice session ahead of the west regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Instead of shutting down the claims of joining North Carolina by simply saying, 'I am not going to North Carolina,' Lloyd somewhat doubled down on his previous comments by saying, "There's going to be another coach; this is a great program. I never said when."

If Lloyd is trying to keep this a secret, he is not doing a good job of hiding it. Additionally, acting defensively when asked a simple question reveals more than providing a short-phrase answer.