Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd did nothing to quiet speculation linking him to the North Carolina job following Saturday’s win over Purdue.
Lloyd offered some quotes Saturday that led some to wonder if he was fully committed to the Wildcats. In the wake of his team’s 79-64 win over Purdue, Lloyd talked about how important it was to build up the program for those who come after him.
“The sun may be shining on this team and me coaching it right now, but when it’s shining on you, you’ve got to fight like hell to protect it and build it,” Lloyd said. “That’s what I feel like my number one responsibility is, for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me. Because Arizona’s going to have another good coach after me, I promise you. The place is special.”
"Arizona's going to have another good coach after me, I promise you."
— PHNX Wildcats (@PHNX_Wildcats) March 29, 2026
Tommy Lloyd on protecting the program, for those who've come before, and those who'll come after. pic.twitter.com/w2UezUN5Hs
Perhaps Lloyd was just feeling sentimental after leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001, but it struck many as strange to be bringing up the coach that might come after him in such a big moment. Naturally, it fueled speculation that he might be tempted to leave for North Carolina at the end of the team’s tournament run.
Lloyd is in his fifth season as Arizona’s head coach and is certainly in touch with the program’s history. He could certainly be in the frame for the North Carolina job, though there may be other bigger names ahead of him.
