Michael Malone sets tone on future of North Carolina-Duke rivalry

There is a new sheriff in Chapel Hill as Michael Malone was introduced to the media as the new coach of North Carolina on Tuesday. Malone will take over the program from Hubert Davis following the Tar Heels’ first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.

The hiring of Malone was unexpected, and his name was never even mentioned among the possible candidates to replace Davis. But here he is, eager to get the program back on track.

Of course, Malone had to be asked about the storied rivalry between North Carolina and Duke. He did not hide his excitement at being a part of it, now that he would be on the floor instead of watching it on television.

“I love rivalries. I’m ready to get into that. Watching that game at home this year, when Seth Trimble hit that corner three, my wife and I were jumping around,” said Malone in the video posted by ACC Network.

“I’m excited to be part of that rivalry. I want to add that rivalry. I want to win. I know that Duke is a program down the road and they had success, but as I said, I didn’t come here to be second best, I didn’t come here to lose in the first round of the ACC Tournament. I came here to win and win at a high level.”

"I didn’t come here to be second best, I didn’t come here to lose in the first round of the ACC tournament. I came here to win and win at a big level."

Michael Malone on the UNC-Duke rivalry. pic.twitter.com/6FJ7RwtKNC

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) April 7, 2026

The 54-year-old Malone, who led the Denver Nuggets to the championship in 2023, stressed that he is a competitor and will not shy away from battling Duke.

The Tar Heels and the Blue Devils split their series this season, 1-1. Overall, North Carolina leads the head-to-head, which dates back to the 1920s, 146-121.

Malone had a brief rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers during his time with the Nuggets, especially when they beat the Purple and Gold in back-to-back playoffs, even throwing shade at LeBron James.

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