The speculation is over: Tommy Lloyd has signed a contract extension with the University of Arizona, the Arizona athletic department announced on Friday. The agreement extends through 2031 and places Lloyd among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball, with a starting salary of $7.2 million for the 2026-27 season.
The announcement follows a week of questions — and noncommittal answers — about the possibility of Lloyd taking the North Carolina job. Lloyd was reportedly UNC’s top candidate following Hubert Davis’ dismissal.
“Arizona is going to have another good coach after me,” Lloyd told reporters after the Elite Eight. “This place is special.”
On Friday, he clarified that he was referring to the distant future.
“It’s absolutely true,” he explained. “There’s going to be another coach. This is a great program. I didn’t say when.”
Since his arrival at Arizona in 2021, the 20-year Gonzaga assistant has led the Wildcats to three conference titles, four Sweet Sixteens and overseen their transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
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Arizona won both the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament this year, and beat No. 4 Arkansas and No. 2 Purdue en route to the Final Four.
“Tommy Lloyd is the best coach in college basketball, and we have a strong conviction in the future of Arizona Basketball under his leadership,” said athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois.
In clearing the air, Lloyd alluded to rumors he had previously denied: that Michael Jordan had called him to discuss the North Carolina job.
“I made a decision that my Michael Jordan is Steve Kerr,” he said, referencing Kerr’s long tenure with the Golden State Warriors.
Lloyd’s style is high-scoring, physical and balanced. That strategy is enabled by elite recruiting, a skill Lloyd honed under Gonzaga coach Mark Few. This year, Arizona’s roster includes five players not born in the United States, including starters Motiejus Krivas (Lithuania) and Ivan Kharchenkov (Germany).
With the Tar Heels’ top choice out of the picture, the pool of candidates to succeed Davis shrinks. Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Iowa coach Ben McCollum and Michigan coach Dusty May are among North Carolina’s potential next targets.
Lloyd’s re-signing could invigorate the Wildcats ahead of their Saturday match against No. 1 Michigan, the nation’s top-ranked team by overall rating and defense, per KenPom.
“It’s super special for coach,” said Wildcats guard Koa Peat. “He’s one of the best coaches in the country. That’s super special for us.”
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