"We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader - he has helped make special memories we will never forget," said North Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham on Tuesday night. "This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."
The recommendation was made by Cunningham and Executive Associate Athletic Director Steve Newmark, who will transition to the AD role on July 1, and was accepted by Chancellor Lee H. Roberts on Tuesday.
"Hubert cares deeply for our University, and it has been inspiring to watch him instill that love and Tar Heel tradition into the players he has coached," Newmark said. "Chancellor Roberts, Bubba and I join all of the Carolina community in thanking Hubert and his family for all they have done for UNC."
A national search has begun for the Tar Heels' next head coach, UNC said. Cunningham and Newmark are leading the search, and the university has hired executive search firm Turnkey ZRG to assist. Cunningham and Newmark will also consult with an advisory group comprised of key voices, including former players, former coaches and supporters.
Late Tuesday night, Davis posted a message on social media, saying in part, "Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing ... My goal is to coach again in the very near future."
Cunningham had said Saturday that the school was evaluating "all facets" of its tradition-rich men's basketball program after another early exit from the NCAA tournament under Davis.
"Every year at the end of the season, it's important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve," Cunningham said. "The chancellor, Steve, and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days."
Davis closed his fifth season Thursday as successor to retired Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams with an 82-78 overtime loss to VCU in the South Region, coming after the Rams rallied from 19 down for the biggest comeback in first-round history.
The program with six NCAA titles and a national-record 21 Final Fours now has just three March Madness wins in the four seasons since an unexpected run to the 2022 national title game in Davis' debut season. That includes reaching the round of 32 only once in that span, a Sweet 16 appearance two years ago as a No. 1 seed that lost in an upset to Alabama.
In 2023, the Tar Heels also became the first team ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 to miss the NCAA tournament. Last year, the Tar Heels went just 1-12 in Quadrant 1 games and squeaked into the First Four, beating San Diego State before losing in the first round to Ole Miss.
Under Davis, the Tar Heels have either missed the NCAA tournament or lost in the first round in three of five seasons. UNC also hasn't won an ACC title in a decade.
This year's team appeared ready for a leap with top recruit and expected NBA lottery pick Caleb Wilson proving to be an immediate star. The Tar Heels beat Kansas and Kentucky, made a huge comeback to win at Virginia, and then gave Duke one of its two losses on Seth Trimble's last-second 3-pointer.
But Wilson broke his left hand days later at Miami. He was on the verge of returning in early March after UNC had gone 5-1 without him, but Wilson, later chosen an AP second-team All-American, broke his right thumb in a non-contact practice drill and was lost for the season.
The Tar Heels didn't win again, losing at Duke, against Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, and finally against VCU.
Davis signed a two-year extension last season running through 2029-30. The school would owe Davis $5 million in base salary payments for the remaining years of his deal, plus additional payments for the remaining months of the 2025-26 season.
Download the ABC11 News app
The university said Tuesday that it will honor the terms of Davis' contract.
Davis, who was named ACC coach of the year in 2024, went 125-54 in his five seasons as coach of the Tar Heels.
- ABC11's Kate Rogerson and The Associated Press contributed.