UNC basketball set to hire Kim English to join Michael Malone’s staff
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- Kim English is joining Michael Malone’s first staff in Chapel Hill as an assistant coach.
- English was dismissed by Providence on March 13 after a 48-52 overall record.
- English previously led George Mason to a 34-29 record and a 20-win season in 2022-23.
North Carolina is adding former Providence head coach Kim English to Michael Malone’s staff as an assistant coach, a source confirmed to the N&O Monday afternoon.
English is the latest addition to Malone’s first staff in Chapel Hill. After Malone was hired by UNC last week, he moved quickly to add former Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin to his bench as associate head coach. Assistant coaches Sean May and Pat Sullivan, as well as director of operations Eric Hoots, are expected to stay on staff under Malone, a source confirmed to the N&O.
During his introductory press conference, Malone spoke about the importance of building a staff with “great coaches” who would both help him and “challenge” him to become the best coach possible at the collegiate level.
“I have no doubt that’s going to be a process that I attack,” Malone said.
English became a free agent following his dismissal from Providence on March 13, one day after the Friars’ 85-72 loss to St. John’s in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals.
English finished 48-52 overall and 23-37 in Big East play and did not lead the Friars to an NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons.
English, 37, went 15-18 last season at Providence. The Friars showed early promise in his tenure, going 21-14 in his first season and reaching the Big East Tournament semifinals. The program struggled over the next two seasons, including a 12-20 campaign in 2024-25.
Before Providence, English spent two seasons as the head coach at George Mason, where he posted a 34-29 record, led the Patriots to a 20-win season in 2022-23 and matched or set new Atlantic 10 program bests in both seasons.
A Baltimore native, English previously served as an assistant at Tennessee, Colorado and Tulsa, working under coaches Rick Barnes, Tad Boyle and Frank Haith.
Barnes, a North Carolina native, called English a “grand slam hire” when he was named as George Mason’s head coach.
“He’s the total package,” Barnes said in a statement per English’s George Mason bio. “From the day he joined our staff at Tennessee, he made an immediate impact on our program. He has a unique gift for connecting with people and forming genuine relationships.”
English played at Missouri from 2008-12, where he earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors twice and was named the conference tournament’s most outstanding player in 2012.
He was selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played 41 games in the 2012-13 season before continuing his professional career overseas.
At North Carolina, English will join with a staff undergoing significant turnover under Malone, who was hired last week.
His addition brings head coaching experience and a reputation for relationship-building and player development to UNC. As the Tar Heels sought to round out their bench, player development at the guard position was a priority — particularly with Marcus Paige’s departure for Charlotte.
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM.