From Pod World Headquarters, this is the Carolina Insider from Learfield.

Michael Maloon had such a fun time when he was here in October that he's decided to come back because he's got a few new things to talk about.

It's like deja vu.

That's right.

He's the new head coach of the Tarils.

So Coach, thanks so much for coming by.

What have these last few days been like for you?

Well, first off, it's a great day to be a tar hill.

Yeah.

And to say the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind would be an understatement.

You know, Steve Newmark, Eric Kooch came to my house on Easter Sunday, had a five-hour meeting, had a great meeting.

And my wife, Jocelyn and I, we were up all night, got up early, talked about it, thought it through.

And I just kept on coming back to, this is North Carolina.

You know, this is Dean Smith, this is Roy Williams, this is Coach Guthridge.

And, you know, for me, I always want to be a part of something special and something much bigger than myself. And this definitely embodies that. And to leave the NBA to come to college, there was only one job I would ever even think about leaving the NBA for, and that is here in Chapel Hill. So whirlwind, but I'm really happy to be a part of that

whirlwind because I love where I'm at. I'm excited for the challenge, and I can't wait to get to

work. Coach, you obviously have a deep history in the game and a high level of success in the game,

but you've never done it at the college level. How do you try and help yourself get acclimated to how you can best be successful at this level of basketball?

Well, I think it starts with one surrounding yourself with great people.

And the people I've spoken to throughout this process leading up to today, as I look to hire and put together a coaching staff that not only is talented,

but also can compliment me and bring out the best of me and challenge me. And Steve Newmark

who's going to be taking over for Bubba Cunningham, both those guys have been amazing. And I know

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