#SearchSZN continues in the Tarheel state: UNC, Campbell and more

CurryHicksSage avatar
Curry Hicks Sage
@CurryHicksSageApr 6, 2026

The Spaces centers on two threads: the host’s Final Four reflections and the fast-evolving North Carolina head-coaching search. From Indy, the host details industry networking, future long-form “Burning Stage” plans, and the growing complexity of evaluating coaching talent amid NIL and the transfer portal. The UNC discussion dominates: Tommy Lloyd declined; Dusty May is expected to stay at Michigan while listening to NBA interest; and Billy Donovan appears to be the target, with a widely cited April 12 NBA-season timing. The host and callers debate optics, portal urgency (opening April 8), the need to have assistants recruiting immediately, and culture-fit considerations at UNC. Contingency candidates (e.g., Josh Schertz, Grant McCasland, Mark Few, Scott Drew, Mark Byington) are weighed alongside buyouts and donor alignment. A brief Campbell segment notes a new president deprioritizing athletics. The session closes with community chatter on events, branding, and a proposed live late-night show at next year’s Final Four in Detroit.

Final Four takeaways, the 2026 coaching carousel, and a deep dive on North Carolina’s search

Who spoke and how to refer to them

  • Host: goes by “Curry” (runs the Search Season/Burning Stage community; references producer Max; site referenced variously in transcript as ‘courierxsage.com/critics age.com/Courix age.com’—treated here as Curry’s subscriber site).
  • Callers & personas referenced in discussion:
    • Holden (UNC fan)
    • “Hubert’s burner” (UNC fan persona)
    • “Roy’s burner” (UNC fan persona)
    • “Meter Palar” (burner name riffing on Peter Millar; Marquette fan)
    • Ryan (frequent caller; asks about merch and the Pump party; potential volunteer for live-event planning)
    • “Baba Ganesh” (caller)
    • “Ryan PCC/ Ryan Morris” (call-in handle variants for Ryan)
    • Adam (day-one subscriber; college freshman)
    • “Braden Smith’s No.1 fan” (caller handle)
    • Media/industry figures mentioned: Jeff Goodman, Matt Norlander, Jeff Borzello, Pete Thamel, Field of 68 crew; Barstool/Rico; Rocco Miller; Terrence Oglesby; Leslie Visser; Meredith Vieira.
    • Coaches/candidates discussed: Billy Donovan, Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May, Nate Oats, Scott Drew, Grant McCasland, Ben McCollum, Josh Schertz, Mark Byington, Mark Few, Brad Underwood, Danny Hurley, Kyle Smith, Steve Forbes, Tom Crean, Fran Fraschilla, Trilly (anon account), Donnie Jones (as potential assistant).

Executive summary (key points)

  • Final Four reflections: Curry relished in-person connections, noted a flood of smart coaches at all levels (including D2 assistants he’d hire over some D1 HCs), and acknowledged a personal tonal shift toward the “establishment” after seeing its complexities up close. He plans to bring back longer-form subscriber conversations (Burning Stage) after a brief break from constant tweeting.
  • Meta: One recent wandering episode recorded while walking around Indianapolis was deemed “terrible” by Curry; he’s considering removing it. He told several anecdotes (e.g., long conversation with broadcasting pioneer Leslie Visser; earlier Meredith Vieira encounter) that underscore how Final Fours open unexpected doors.
  • Industry themes:
    • Hiring market is shifting—analogous to MLB’s GM youth-movement era—toward sharper, younger operators and nontraditional backgrounds.
    • In college hoops today, roster construction in the NIL/portal era is a major differentiator; “getting great dudes” is 80–90% of the job at high-major levels. Scheme matters but the NIL-and-portal market dynamic dominates.
    • Coaches expect to finalize rosters fast (one associate HC told Curry they aim to be “done by May 1”); the portal opens April 8, making this week pivotal.
  • UNC search: Two interpretations exist—either (1) Carolina has choreographed things masterfully and Billy Donovan was always the plan (with an April 12 timing request), or (2) if it’s not Billy, the process appears needlessly protracted and reactive.
    • Tommy Lloyd: Emerged as a top candidate, ultimately said no, later signed an extension.
    • Dusty May: Rose further after beating Lloyd; reports say he will return to Michigan (with the addendum “no other college jobs this cycle”), with NBA interest swirling (Curry heard Magic among teams). His leverage and brand surged; he could merit a top-of-market deal (Curry floated near-$10M territory if he won a title).
    • Billy Donovan: April 12 date has been widely cited in reporting. Curry questions why a specific date became a universal talking point and whether waiting beyond the portal’s opening is wise. If it’s Billy, he urges UNC to leak ASAP and have trusted assistants start portal/agent calls immediately on April 8 to manage optics and roster assembly.
    • Optics risk: If not Billy, UNC risks appearing to be on their “fourth/fifth choice”—a narrative competitors will weaponize in recruiting, especially with portal timing.
  • Campbell situation: Curry previewed concerns that a new president may be “right-sizing” athletics (more football spend; less overall support) and that the coach (referred to as John Anderjack in the space) got caught in macro-level deprioritization. He frames it as a warning about rapidly changing institutional priorities.
  • Community & events: Curry riffed on a Detroit 2027 Final Four late-night live event (11 pm–1 am) concept—a roast-meets-awards show for the Search Season community, with curated guests, a DJ, pre-taped skits, and a Search Season Coach of the Year live presentation. Ryan volunteered to help coordinate.
  • Indianapolis miscellany:
    • “Tucked shirt” photo became a running joke; Curry explained the origin (only a large-sized Nike Dri-Fit “Search Season” shirt was available; it looked awkward tucked).
    • Posted a provocative tweet about Indy’s downtown retail convenience that drew heavy pushback; he stands by the practical point about limited downtown shopping options while noting he actually still had a good time.

Final Four, media, and tone

  • Personal recalibration:

    • Curry admits entering Final Four week with some outsider skepticism about the industry’s excesses but left with a more nuanced respect for long-time lifers and the “establishment.”
    • He won’t stop calling things as he sees them (e.g., calling certain late-season games “effectively meaningless”), but he’s embracing the complexities of the ecosystem.

  • “Everyday tweeting” vs deeper work:

    • Plans to step away briefly after “search season” to write and refocus, then return with more polished long-form interviews (Burning Stage) and high-quality guest lineups built from Final Four relationships.

  • Anecdotes & encounters:

    • Leslie Visser conversation (energetic, BC talk, candid remark about paid speaking rate; “legend” vibes).
    • Meredith Vieira story—personal quip about hitting it off with veteran media icons.
    • Pump party and other socials: decent but not transcendent; Curry favors curated dinners with meaningful conversation over loud mass events.

  • Candid self-critique:

    • Calls the “walking around Indy” episode the worst of the cycle and suggests producer Max remove it.

Macro coaching market and NIL-era realities

  • Talent abundance and hiring trends:

    • Curry met D2 assistants he would take over prominent D1 HCs—evidence of a saturated talent pool.
    • Predicts evolution toward nontraditional, analytically sharp hires (cf. MLB’s early-2000s GM revolution).

  • NIL/portal reshaping priorities:

    • Roster assembly speed is paramount: portal opens April 8; many aim to be largely done by May 1; spring enrollments around June 1 drive urgency.
    • Pre-portal relationship building: agents, AAU connections, informal signaling—coaches know who’s coming or likely to test the portal before it’s official.
    • Money and fit are central; staff must be ready to communicate clear style/role/value to targets immediately when the portal opens.

UNC search: timeline, options, risks, and fit

  • Timeline realities:

    • Hubert Davis’s exit became “effectively known” ~17 days prior to this space; official announcement lagged a few days.
    • Portal opens April 8; April 12 has been repeatedly cited by media as Billy Donovan’s earliest decision window.

  • Two plausible “reads” of UNC’s approach:

    1. Master plan: UNC always had Billy in mind, let Lloyd/Mays leverage offers run their course, allowed them to get raises/extensions (a “friend of the industry” approach), and now finalize Billy on his preferred timeline.
    2. Back-footed process: If it’s not Billy, publicly cycling through elite candidates without landing one looks reactive and slow, especially given portal timing.

  • Why the April 12 date matters (and the host’s questions):

    • Bulls are out of playoff contention; why a hard date versus a leak-and-finish model? Curry wonders if contractual triggers or internal Bulls dynamics are driving the specific timing.
    • If UNC waits until April 12 for an agreement, but roster work is already in full sprint, how far behind do they fall? The host’s proposed workaround: leak Billy early, name two trusted lieutenants to immediately begin portal/agent calls, and let Billy finish out with Chicago before a formal on-campus rollout.

  • Optics and recruiting warfare:

    • If UNC misses on Billy after dust-ups with Lloyd and May, rivals will attack the “fifth-choice” narrative and the delayed action when the portal opened.
    • Conversely, an early leak and visible staffing moves signal competence and momentum to recruits/agents.

  • Candidate-by-candidate notes (as discussed on the space):

    • Billy Donovan

      • Pros: two-time NCAA champ; pro experience; modern recruiting may be more efficient and NBA-like (short windows, transactional roster cycles) than he dislikes about old-school, years-long high school recruiting. The UNC brand, money, and travel rhythm (30-ish games) make college attractive.
      • Risks: 60 years old; out of college a decade; NIL/portal markets change annually. College fit and comfort with real-time roster management remain unknown until tested; the Bulls tenure has been rocky (separate from his coaching acumen). UNC just had a painful pro-to-college misfire in football; optics can bleed across departments.
      • Staff model: must have two trusted assistants working phones April 8 if his formal arrival is April 12–15. Donnie Jones (Stetson) was mentioned by a listener as a potential Billy lieutenant.
      • PR play: leak before title game or by portal day to maximize mindshare with prospects.

    • Tommy Lloyd

      • Emerged as a top target; ultimately said no and signed an Arizona extension.
      • Some circumstantial signs (family/in-laws in Arizona) made a move unlikely.

    • Dusty May

      • After beating Lloyd, his leverage soared; reports say he’s returning to Michigan and will not pursue other college jobs this cycle (with NBA interest noted).
      • Curry suggested his market could push him toward the top of the pay scale, especially with a title; compared his image to a “new face” of the sport.

    • Nate Oats

      • Signed extension; note that his personal news (relationship/marriage to a former staffer) surfaced the same day—Curry flagged timing optics and concluded Alabama was effectively affirming him.

    • Scott Drew

      • Great coach, but Curry questioned UNC cultural fit (framed as UNC’s “Episcopalian-country-club” vibe vs. Baylor’s “evangelical” identity). Not about religiosity itself so much as donor/booster-cultural alignment and comfort.

    • Grant McCasland

      • High buyout (~$10M mentioned on the space); excellent coach from the Baylor tree. Curry again raised cultural-fit questions similar to Drew’s.

    • Ben McCollum

      • Scheme savant with D2 roots and a successful leap to Iowa State; admired but seen by Curry as a potentially awkward cultural fit at UNC and less tested in managing five-star egos/NIL markets; McCollum’s own profile suggests he may prefer a lower-spotlight, craft-first context.

    • Josh Schertz

      • Curry called him a “home run” for modern roster-building and on-court style (cited Saint Louis’s 29–6 year and tournament win; fun brand; success at modest budgets).
      • Value argument: allocate less to HC salary (e.g., $5M vs $10M) and redirect to roster/NIL; Curry likes this economics-first path even if optics differ from a marquee hire.

    • Mark Byington

      • Credited for tournament wins at JMU and Vanderbilt (per on-air discussion); North Carolina roots make him a plausible “culture fit.”

    • Mark Few (listener suggestion)

      • Idea: a “quietly perfect” candidate who can handle politics, roster, and staff; continuity at Gonzaga with a designated successor could smooth a transition.

    • Brad Underwood (listener suggestion)

      • Curry respects him but doubts practicality/fit (Midwestern JUCO roots; buyout; he’s established at Illinois after finally breaking through).

  • UNC fan concerns heard in the space:

    • Roster churn fear: one caller worried the roster could be gutted by portal moves if the hire drags (“Isaac Dennis” cited as an early portal entry; name captured as spoken).
    • Facility/stadium decisions looming: separate but significant post-hire decision about on-campus vs. off-campus home venue.
    • ACC perception: a Field of 68 item was raised about an unnamed ACC coach not fearing Hubert; Curry brushed off the drama but acknowledged the ACC’s quality dip beyond Duke and UNC’s failure to dominate the league recently.

  • Curry’s bottom line on UNC timing:

    • If it’s Billy, he expects a leak before Wednesday (after this space) and assistants mobilized by April 8.
    • If it’s not Billy, UNC must pivot immediately to a great current college coach and accept some optics hit while aggressively executing a roster plan.

Campbell snapshot (industry trend example)

  • Curry’s read (as shared on-air): a new president appears less invested in athletics, possibly shifting resources toward football; coach John Anderjack (name as spoken on-air) appears to have been caught in a top-down reprioritization.
  • Larger takeaway: institutional leadership changes can rapidly alter program trajectories; coaches and candidates must weigh presidential/AD alignment as carefully as donor NIL potential.

Notable side threads and observations

  • Culture-fit talk: UNC’s brand has historically favored certain stylistic and cultural alignments (Roy/Dean lineage; Northeast pipelines like Larry Brown). Curry argued that even in a dollars-first era, decision-makers still care about whether a coach “feels” like UNC in how they deal with donors and represent the program.
  • Rivalry and portal ethics (caller’s view): a Marquette fan disliked “credit-card roster building” and players moving between league rivals; Curry countered that every program would spend if able and that the sport has shifted to shorter, more transactional cycles.
  • NIL realities: Everyone is posturing about actual spend; one of Curry’s sources says, “Whatever number they tell you, add 10–20%.” Market is fluid, bubbles possible, and price discovery is uneven.

Community, merch, and the Detroit live show idea

  • Merch anecdote: The viral “tucked Dri-Fit shirt” photo originated from Curry only having a large Nike Search Season shirt on hand; he tucked it and it photographed poorly—became an in-joke all weekend.
  • Indianapolis retail gripe: A tweet calling Indy “not a cool city” because he couldn’t find basic apparel near downtown triggered a pile-on. He stands by the practical point (downtown retail was sparse) while noting he still had a good Final Four.
  • Live show concept for Detroit (late-night, 11 pm–1 am):
    • Venue: small black-box/indie theater within a mile of downtown; seated; light production.
    • Format: roast-meets-variety show; DJ; short pre-taped bits; surprise guest cameos; “Search Season Coach of the Year” live award (finalists in attendance if possible); cameo video from Trilly; a mask-and-tux entrance bit was joked about.
    • Audience: ticketed ($20 ballpark), 200-seat target.
    • Staffing: Ryan volunteered as “social chair”/coordinator; Curry asked for a plan (venue, AV, guests, aesthetics).
    • Goal: deliver the single most original, memorable non-game event of the weekend.

What to watch next

  • UNC timeline over the portal’s first 48–72 hours:
    • Does a Donovan leak land before April 12? Are assistant names floated to show portal readiness?
    • If no Billy: how fast do they pivot and who eats the buyout (e.g., McCasland ~$10M mentioned on-air)? How quickly do optics and roster moves stabilize?
  • Dusty May’s next steps: Michigan extension details; NBA courtship tone and timeline.
  • Broader hiring pattern: any surprise moves by big-name coaches (Few/Drew/Underwood) or acceleration toward modern “sicko” tacticians (Schertz, McCollum) at major jobs.
  • Campbell: administrative signals and budget posture under new leadership; follow-on effects for the Big South/CAA level.
  • Burning Stage return: watch for long-form interviews with newly cultivated Final Four relationships.

Closing note

Curry reaffirmed he’ll keep popping in for “weird ones,” but intends a short break from heavy daily tweeting. He urged listeners to subscribe to support in-depth work and the next phase of content (and, if all goes to plan, to show up for a very different, very late-night Detroit live show next April).