UNC Hires Jim Tanner Amid NCAA Tournament Uncertainty

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a pivotal move for their struggling men’s basketball program, the University of North Carolina announced the hiring of Jim Tanner as executive director and general manager on March 15, 2025. This decision comes amid concerns that the Tar Heels may miss the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.

Tanner, a 1990 UNC graduate and longtime NBA agent, is expected to modernize a program that has faced inconsistencies in recent seasons. His appointment comes after North Carolina finished the regular season with a 22-13 record, leaving them uncertain about their NCAA Tournament fate.

<p“Kind of a no-brainer hire,” said Tyler Hansbrough, who was previously represented by Tanner, along with Justin Jackson, a fellow former UNC star. “He’s very well-connected and understands a lot about the program.”

As reports indicate, Tanner’s role will focus on managing the roster and navigating the complex realms of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, which have become crucial in college athletics. Hubert Davis, UNC’s head coach, expressed confidence in Tanner’s potential impact, stating, “I have no question about this being exactly what this program needs.”

Tanner’s hiring marks a significant investment by UNC, believed to be one of the highest-paid general manager roles in college basketball. This strategic move aims to relieve Davis from off-court responsibilities, allowing him to concentrate on coaching. North Carolina has struggled against top-tier competition, leading to questions about their direction following a lackluster early season.

The Tar Heels historically missed only four NCAA Tournaments between 1975 and 2021 under former head coach Roy Williams. However, in the wake of Williams’ retirement, the program’s trajectory has taken a downward turn. Davis, who secured a contract extension last summer through the 2029-30 season, is aware of the stakes as his team finds itself on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Despite a late-season revival that included crucial victories, UNC struggled prior, especially against conference rivals. A notable example was their significant loss to Duke, where they fell short despite attempting a comeback.

<p“Definitely a lot of ‘lack of chemistry’ moments and splintering going on,” said Jae’Lyn Withers, a graduate forward, reflecting on the early season woes. “That has changed as we have better chemistry now.”

The university’s historical brand cannot solely attract players under the current landscape; Tanner’s expertise should enhance recruiting efforts and timely roster construction. UNC’s failure to adapt to the fast-changing environment of college basketball has become more apparent, particularly in their struggles to land key recruits and navigate the bidding war for transfers effectively.

<p“As this season got underway, change was seen as necessary,” said Davis. With Tanner onboard, the Tar Heels hope to reclaim their competitive edge against rivals.