Mike Krzyzewski says North Carolina’s Michael Malone will have a ‘learning curve’

North Carolina has plucked both its football and men’s basketball coaches from the professional ranks over the past two years, hiring New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick ahead of the 2025 season and former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on Monday, April 6, sources confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, one of the sport’s legendary coaches who took part in numerous rivalry games against in-state foe North Carolina, said he hasn’t done well for the Tar Heels yet.

Announcement

“Well, they hired an NFL champion as their coach and Duke beat North Carolina in football this year,” he said on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” shortly after the news about Malone broke. “That doesn’t mean Coach Belichick isn’t a great coach, but there’s time for adjustments.”

MANDATORY READING: Michael Malone hired as UNC basketball coach; the former NBA champion replaces Hubert Davis

Malone, whose daughter plays volleyball at North Carolina, was waived by the Denver Nuggets before the playoffs in 2025, although he won the NBA Finals with the organization in 2023. He has 510 career NBA wins with the Nuggets and Sacramento Kings, and coached 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic with Denver.

While Krzyzewski said Malone is a great coach, he said there is a learning curve when going from the NBA to college, but he also noted that North Carolina could shift its philosophy toward a more professional model with hiring coaches.

Announcement

“It takes longer, if you can ever adjust from the pros to college,” he said. “(Malone) is a great coach and a great guy. There’s a learning curve. … Whatever the reasoning, maybe they’re changing. (North Carolina) now has two professional coaches coaching in college.

“Is the infrastructure that their athletic department (has), now going to be more of a professional organization? Which. I think if that’s true, everyone should do it. And the fact that he knows how to do it, and Coach Belichick knows it too, maybe it’s a sign that they’re moving in that direction.”