North Carolina coach Hubert Davis has signed a two-year extension running through the 2029-30 season and has made a significant move by hiring basketball agent Jim Tanner as the men's basketball program's executive director and general manager.
The school announced Tanner’s hiring Tuesday, following Davis' recent plans to bring in a GM in light of players being able to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Davis' updated contract, signed in December, includes a raise, with an average salary of $3.2 million in base salary and supplemental pay.
Davis, a former player under Dean Smith and assistant under Roy Williams, has experienced ups and downs during his tenure at his alma mater. In his first season, he led UNC to the NCAA title game, but the following season saw the Tar Heels missing the NCAA Tournament as the preseason No. 1-ranked team.
Last year, UNC won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season race and secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This season, with 18 wins, they are working towards securing an NCAA bid.
Tanner's hiring aligns with Davis' vision to modernize the program, bringing in a UNC alumnus with a 28-year career representing over 70 NBA players. Tanner, the founder of Tandem Sports + Entertainment, will be involved in roster construction, contract negotiations, and hiring scouting and analytics staff.
Expressing his excitement, Tanner stated, “Both of my kids and I went to Carolina, and we owe so much as a family to this university. This is such an exciting opportunity, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Davis emphasized Tanner's expertise, stating, “Jim’s experience and knowledge are crucial in helping us navigate contracts, the transfer portal, and the advancement of this program. His commitment to this university and community make him a great addition to the Carolina men’s basketball program.”
Tanner, a 1990 graduate and former Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC, has represented 40 NBA first-round draft picks and six Naismith Hall of Fame inductees, including former UNC star Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Tamika Catchings, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, and Dominique Wilkins.
Davis took over in 2021 during a transformative period in college athletics, marked by NIL opportunities and increased player mobility through the transfer portal. Schools are adapting by expanding staff in football and basketball, resembling mini-professional front offices, reflecting the evolving demands of managing major college programs in today's dynamic landscape.
