The North Carolina basketball team struggled in Michael Malone's debut as head coach. North Carolina defeated Western Carolina, 80-72, on Monday. Malone made a humorous statement to reporters after the win.
“You guys have as much fun as I did?” Malone said, per the Associated Press. “Welcome to the roller coaster.”
The Tar Heels pulled away in the last minutes of the second half to win the game. It definitely wasn't a perfect start, as North Carolina shot just 30 percent from three-point range. The club also struggled with rebounding.
The new North Carolina head coach is asking for patience.
“It's not going to happen overnight,” Malone said. “And I have to remind myself constantly that this really is going to be a process. Thankful we got the win tonight, always much easier and better to clean up things after a win. But the emotions were I'm thankful to get that first one.”
Malone joined the Tar Heels after spending time coaching in the NBA. He is not a typical North Carolina head basketball coach.
“Malone is first North Carolina coach to lead the program without having played for the Tar Heels or working as an assistant on staff since Frank McGuire took over in 1952,” the AP reported.
Malone's team has 11 new players. The North Carolina coach says it will take time for his guys to gel.
Article Continues Below“It's going to be probably a different guy for us every night,” Malone said. “And we have to stop fighting that sometimes. We have to embrace that, that's who we are. If we can just start trusting, must trust more.
“When we do it, we look really good. When we stop trusting, we look like a team that is just not operating on the same page.”