Heel Tough Blog: Top Candidate Removes Himself From UNC Opening

Iowa State Athletics

The Carolina Basketball job hasn’t been open 48 hours yet, and there’s already been two big names to remove themself from consideration from arguably the best job in college basketball. Yesterday, Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics made it known he wasn’t leaving the front office of the most storied franchise in the NBA for the sidelines in Chapel Hill, and just earlier today, Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger made it known he wasn’t leaving Ames for UNC either. This report comes from Jeff Goodman from the Field of 68, who said the following: "TJ Otzelberger is NOT in the mix at Carolina, and by his own doing. Not by Carolina's doing. He was in their first tier, according to sources. Give him credit, he's a different dude. Most guys would walk from Ames to Chapel Hill. He loves it there. He loves Jamie Pollard. He's loyal, and they are going to take care of him. He's obviously built up equity here."

Yesterday, Otzelberger met with the local media ahead of their Sweet 16 game tomorrow night against Tennessee, and he made it known he wasn’t interested in other jobs and that he was committed to Iowa State. 

According to Inside Carolina, Otzelberger was among the top candidates Carolina was considering for their vacancy, along with Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Michigan’s Dusty May. Both teams will be in action in the Sweet 16, with Arizona set to play Arkansas later tonight, and Michigan in line to play Alabama tomorrow night. 

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