Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd wasted no time shutting down rumors that he may take the UNC Tar Heels’ head coaching job. He announced on Friday that he’s staying with the Wildcats.
“I’m happy to announce I’m staying at Arizona,” Lloyd said in a press conference. “Arizona basketball, you guys know what it means to me, and when I say it’s a special place, that always comes from the bottom of my heart.”
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ESPN later reported that Lloyd’s new deal is for five years with a $7.5 million average yearly salary.
Lloyd was one of the candidates rumored as one of the favorites to become the next head coach of the Tar Heels after they fired Hubert Davis last month.
The deal comes as the top-seeded Wildcats prepare for their Final Four matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, who also come in as a top seed.
The Wildcats are coming off of arguably the greatest season in program history. At 36-2, they’ve dominated teams all season and that hasn’t stopped in the NCAA Tournament.
They’ve coasted past all of their March Madness opponents by 10 points or more. Now, they can focus on Saturday’s matchup with a long-term commitment from their head coach secured.
James Parker contributed to this story.
