(Photo credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)

A first-round NCAA Tournament collapse marked the end for Hubert Davis as North Carolina's coach, as the school fired him Tuesday night.

'We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader -- he has helped make special memories we will never forget,' North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. 'This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.'

Davis said in a statement, 'Tonight I was let go by the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. My desire was to continue to coach here. ... My goal is to coach again in the very near future.'

Davis, who played for the program from 1988-92 and served as an assistant coach from 2012-21, is owed $5.3 million on the remaining portion of his contract, according to multiple reports.

The eighth-seeded Tar Heels led VCU by 19 points in the second half on Thursday in Greenville, S.C., before the 11th-seeded Rams rallied for an 82-78 overtime win.

The result left North Carolina with a 24-9 mark on the season. The Tar Heels tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season with a 12-6 record, highlighted by a 71-68 home victory over archrival Duke on Feb. 7.

North Carolina bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 64 for the second year. In 2025, the Tar Heels got past San Diego State in a First Four game, then lost as an 11th seed to sixth-seeded Ole Miss 71-64.

Davis achieved his best results in his first season on the job after taking over at his alma mater following Roy Williams' retirement. The Tar Heels went 29-10 in 2021-22, reaching the NCAA championship game before falling to Kansas.

North Carolina didn't make the NCAA field the next year, then reached the Sweet 16 in 2024.

Overall, Davis posted a 125-54 mark, including a 68-30 record in ACC games.

--Field Level Media