Tommy Lloyd says he is “100% locked in” on Arizona basketball amid speculation linking him to North Carolina coaching job
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Apr 03, 2026, 20:14 IST
UConn's Braylon Mullins finds it difficult to turn the page on his incredible shot at the Final Four
In a decisive move, Arizona's head coach Tommy Lloyd has officially squashed the speculation surrounding his potential shift to North Carolina. He emphasized that his sole focus is dedicated to leading the Wildcats in their quest for a national championship. Adopting a pragmatic approach, Lloyd insists he’s just a straightforward coach tackling one challenge at a time.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd stated he is "100 percent locked in on Arizona basketball" amid speculation linking him to the North Carolina coaching vacancy. Lloyd addressed the rumors during his pregame news conference on Thursday as his team prepared to play Michigan in the Final Four. He emphasized his singular focus on his current team and their pursuit of a national championship.
Lloyd described himself as a "simple guy" who handles "one thing at a time" and is "not a multitasker." He conveyed his commitment to Arizona, stating, "I'm 100% locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and I'm excited to see what this team can do." He added, "I have a real strong belief in this team and this team deserves my full attention, so that's what I'm giving."
The North Carolina job became open last month when the university fired Hubert Davis. Lloyd, along with Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan and Michigan's Dusty May, has been mentioned as a leading candidate for the position. The ongoing speculation has been amplified by the fact that UNC has not yet named a new coach, suggesting their primary target may still be involved in the NCAA Tournament.
Reports indicated that Lloyd's buyout clause had recently decreased from $11 million to $9 million. North Carolina also has financial obligations to former coach Hubert Davis, reportedly over $5 million, in addition to significant investments in their football program, including commitments to Bill Belichick. These costs precede the salary demands of a new head coach.
Tommy Lloyd currently earns $5.3 million annually. The top five highest-paid college basketball coaches in the nation are reported to make between $6 million and $9 million per year. Lloyd has experienced a rapid rise in the college basketball coaching ranks, reaching the Final Four in his fifth season as head coach at Arizona. This follows a lengthy tenure as the top assistant under Mark Few at Gonzaga.
Michigan and Arizona are ranked first and second, respectively, in KenPom's advanced metrics and are widely considered the two strongest remaining teams in the tournament. The Arizona Wildcats feature an eight-player rotation that includes Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, as well as freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, both of whom are projected first-round NBA draft picks.
Lloyd's response to questions about his future echoes a sentiment expressed by former North Carolina head coach Roy Williams. In 2003, after his Kansas team lost to Syracuse in the national championship game, Williams famously stated, "I could give a s--- about North Carolina right now," when asked about the opening at UNC following the dismissal of Matt Doherty.
Lloyd maintained his stance as his team prepared to compete for Arizona's first national title since 1997. He reiterated his focus, saying, "Listen, I've got my full focus on this team. Nothing is distracting me." He concluded by stating, "And that's just how I decided to approach it." The timing of these statements comes as Arizona is set to play Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday. The Wildcats have demonstrated strong performance throughout the season, leading to their high ranking and the presence of highly touted players on their roster. The continued speculation about Lloyd's potential move to North Carolina highlights the significant interest in his coaching abilities and the prestige of the UNC program. The financial implications for North Carolina are also a notable factor in the ongoing coaching search. Lloyd's rapid success at Arizona has positioned him as a sought-after commodity in the coaching landscape. The team's composition, with a mix of experienced players and promising freshmen, further underscores the strength of the program under his leadership. The comparison to Roy Williams' past statement provides historical context for how coaches often handle such inquiries during critical moments of their season. Lloyd's consistent message of dedication to his current team aims to mitigate any potential distractions as they pursue a championship.
Lloyd described himself as a "simple guy" who handles "one thing at a time" and is "not a multitasker." He conveyed his commitment to Arizona, stating, "I'm 100% locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and I'm excited to see what this team can do." He added, "I have a real strong belief in this team and this team deserves my full attention, so that's what I'm giving."
The North Carolina job became open last month when the university fired Hubert Davis. Lloyd, along with Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan and Michigan's Dusty May, has been mentioned as a leading candidate for the position. The ongoing speculation has been amplified by the fact that UNC has not yet named a new coach, suggesting their primary target may still be involved in the NCAA Tournament.
Reports indicated that Lloyd's buyout clause had recently decreased from $11 million to $9 million. North Carolina also has financial obligations to former coach Hubert Davis, reportedly over $5 million, in addition to significant investments in their football program, including commitments to Bill Belichick. These costs precede the salary demands of a new head coach.
Tommy Lloyd currently earns $5.3 million annually. The top five highest-paid college basketball coaches in the nation are reported to make between $6 million and $9 million per year. Lloyd has experienced a rapid rise in the college basketball coaching ranks, reaching the Final Four in his fifth season as head coach at Arizona. This follows a lengthy tenure as the top assistant under Mark Few at Gonzaga.
Michigan and Arizona are ranked first and second, respectively, in KenPom's advanced metrics and are widely considered the two strongest remaining teams in the tournament. The Arizona Wildcats feature an eight-player rotation that includes Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, as well as freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, both of whom are projected first-round NBA draft picks.
Lloyd's response to questions about his future echoes a sentiment expressed by former North Carolina head coach Roy Williams. In 2003, after his Kansas team lost to Syracuse in the national championship game, Williams famously stated, "I could give a s--- about North Carolina right now," when asked about the opening at UNC following the dismissal of Matt Doherty.
Lloyd maintained his stance as his team prepared to compete for Arizona's first national title since 1997. He reiterated his focus, saying, "Listen, I've got my full focus on this team. Nothing is distracting me." He concluded by stating, "And that's just how I decided to approach it." The timing of these statements comes as Arizona is set to play Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday. The Wildcats have demonstrated strong performance throughout the season, leading to their high ranking and the presence of highly touted players on their roster. The continued speculation about Lloyd's potential move to North Carolina highlights the significant interest in his coaching abilities and the prestige of the UNC program. The financial implications for North Carolina are also a notable factor in the ongoing coaching search. Lloyd's rapid success at Arizona has positioned him as a sought-after commodity in the coaching landscape. The team's composition, with a mix of experienced players and promising freshmen, further underscores the strength of the program under his leadership. The comparison to Roy Williams' past statement provides historical context for how coaches often handle such inquiries during critical moments of their season. Lloyd's consistent message of dedication to his current team aims to mitigate any potential distractions as they pursue a championship.