Kenny 'The Jet' Smith reacts to Hubert Davis firing, his name being floated for UNC job
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- Kenny “The Jet” Smith expressed gratitude toward Hubert Davis for his contributions to North Carolina basketball, emphasizing Davis' impact as both a player and coach despite recent criticisms.
- Smith criticized speculation about him replacing Davis as disrespectful and highlighted the continuity within the UNC coaching staff, which includes former Tar Heel players from various eras, preserving the program's legacy.
- Smith stressed the importance of maintaining a strong connection to UNC’s basketball lineage, noting that the program’s uniqueness comes from having multiple generations of Tar Heels involved simultaneously.
- While the current coaching search may lean toward an external candidate, potentially breaking the tradition of hiring coaches connected to Dean Smith’s legacy, Smith hopes the next coach will commit long-term and “retire a Tar Heel.”
- Smith also acknowledged the long-term staff members at UNC, cautioning that a new coach from outside the family might disrupt the established culture by bringing in their own personnel.
