Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd will not be going to North Carolina despite his name circulating in rumors for that job.
One day before Arizona’s Final Four game against Michigan, Lloyd announced he is staying at Arizona.
“I’m happy to announce I’m staying at Arizona,” Lloyd said. “We’ve been able to get some things done the past couple days…Arizona basketball, you guys know what it means to me.”
"I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona."
— PHNX Wildcats (@PHNX_Wildcats) April 3, 2026
Arizona Head Coach Tommy Lloyd will remain in Tucson. pic.twitter.com/lPdOJwQO66
Lloyd added that “North Carolina’s an amazing place” and said it is an “honor to be considered” for that opening.
Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello of ESPN reported that Lloyd signed a new five-year deal with Arizona that will make him “one of the five highest paid coaches” in the sport.
Six coaches in college basketball are earning north of $6 million per season, with those names including Dan Hurley, Bill Self and Tom Izzo.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported that Lloyd will make $7.2 million starting next year with the new contract.
Sources: UNC offered Tommy Lloyd a top-two contract in CBB. Lloyd took less to stay, but will still bump up to $7.2 million starting next season. Staff pool also will get a huge bump + incentives brought back to their contract structures. He'll also no longer report to the AD. https://t.co/irS6aGzVz3
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 3, 2026
Lloyd is in his fifth season as Arizona’s head coach, and he has the Wildcats playing in the Final Four for the first time since 2001.
After North Carolina fired Hubert Davis, Lloyd’s name emerged in rumblings. A recent report even stated that Lloyd, along with Michigan’s Dusty May and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, were the leading candidates for the job.
On Thursday, Lloyd was asked about his name in the North Carolina rumors, and the Arizona coach ignited speculation since he didn’t shut it down entirely.
However, those talks can be put to bed now with Lloyd staying in the desert for the next five years, at least.
Lloyd and the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats face Michigan and the No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
