UNC's search to replace Hubert Davis should terrify Florida fans right now

Todd Golden is already one championship in with the Florida Gators and this year's squad appears to be in prime form to go back-to-back. So it makes sense that the 40-year-old coach would be coveted by other programs trying to get back to previous glory.

No one should be shocked that Golden's name is mentioned as a potential target for North Carolina if the Tar Heels decide to move on from Hubert Davis. But would Golden leave Gainesville to go to Chapel Hill and would North Carolina, which has kept it in the family for 65 years, look outside its circle to pursue Golden?

Todd Golden could be the top name on UNC's wish list

Gator fans have been here before. They had to deal with Kentucky's very obvious pursuit of Billy Donovan when the Wildcats dumped Tubby Smith in 2007 and when they dumped Billy Gillispie in 2009, but he wouldn't leave Gainesville for anything other than an NBA job, which he eventually got in 2015 with the Thunder. 

It's worth noting that Kentucky reached out to Donovan AGAIN in 2024 after John Calipari's departure, which makes me wonder if the people in Lexington realize exactly how much Donovan does not want to coach there.

However, let's get back to Golden. There is a good relationship between him and the leadership at Florida. They stuck with him for what was a very tumultuous time and conducted proper due process when other programs might've just fired him based on the bad publicity and terrible optics. In turn, Golden rewarded them with a championship and received a $40.5 million contract extension.

North Carolina is a global brand in college basketball. There's no denying that. The Tar Heels are also going through an identity crisis. There is probably a desire to keep it in the Carolina family, but the coaching tree isn't what it used to be, and it might be time for a big-name splash hire.

But since Lon Kruger left Florida in 1996 to take the job at Illinois, there's been a commitment to making sure that the Gators job is one that no coach will want to leave. Donovan stayed for nearly 20 years before going to the NBA and until Golden decides that he wants to pursue a challenge at the pro level, Florida is going to do whatever it takes to keep him in Gainesville.