North Carolina Basketball’s Bold Move: Hiring Jim Tanner as General Manager
In a move that has sent ripples through the college basketball world, the North Carolina Tar Heels have announced the hiring of Jim Tanner as the general manager for their men’s basketball program. This decision comes on the heels of head coach Hubert Davis’s candid admission that the “old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work.” It’s a bold step for a program steeped in tradition, but one that seems necessary in today’s rapidly evolving college basketball landscape.
Jim Tanner is no stranger to the world of basketball. As the president and founder of Tandem Sports & Entertainment, Tanner has built an impressive career representing a wide array of clients in the NBA, WNBA, and broadcasting. His ties to North Carolina run deep; he’s a native of the state and a proud alumnus of UNC, having graduated in 1990 before pursuing law at the University of Chicago. Since founding Tandem Sports & Entertainment in 2013, Tanner has represented over 70 NBA players, including 17 former Tar Heels.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Tanner expressed his excitement about the new role: “Both of my kids and I went to Carolina and we owe so much as a family to this university. This is such an exciting opportunity and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The landscape of college basketball has changed dramatically in a short period of time with NIL, collectives and the transfer portal. It’s a highly-competitive and constantly-evolving environment. I look forward to using my 28 years of experience recruiting and representing players to help position UNC as strategic, adaptive and innovative in scouting and attracting top domestic and international talent while staying true to the principles and values that have defined Carolina Basketball over the years.”
Coach Hubert Davis, now in his fourth year, has been vocal about the need for change. On his radio show earlier this month, he announced plans to hire a general manager and expand the support staff, citing a disappointing season as a catalyst for these changes. “The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work,” Davis stated. “It’s not sustainable. It has to build out because there’s so many things in play with NIL, the transfer portal, agents, international players.”
This marks the first time UNC has appointed a GM for its men’s basketball team, although the school recently made a similar move by hiring former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as GM for its football program. According to the university, Tanner’s responsibilities will include roster construction and contract negotiations, as well as expanding the program’s scouting, analytics, and player development operations.
Coach Davis expressed his enthusiasm for Tanner’s addition to the team: “I am excited and happy to have Jim join our staff and the UNC family. Jim’s experience and knowledge is needed in helping us navigate contracts, the transfer portal and the advancement of this program. His resumé speaks for itself and his commitment to this university and community make him a great addition to the Carolina men’s basketball program.”
Currently, the Tar Heels are navigating a challenging season. They recently secured a victory against Florida State, improving their record to 18-11 overall and 11-6 in the ACC. However, they remain on the bubble as the season winds down, facing the possibility of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. The pressure is mounting on Davis, but the addition of Tanner could be a pivotal factor in rebuilding the roster for what might be a make-or-break season.
Looking ahead, the team faces significant changes. 2024 ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis is set to move on after this season, while promising freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are considered one-and-done candidates, potentially leaving early for the NBA draft. The Tar Heels faced challenges in the transfer portal last spring, missing out on several key targets before securing Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin, who has only recently begun to show consistency.
- Jim Tanner’s appointment as GM is a strategic move to adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball.
- UNC is looking to enhance its scouting, analytics, and player development operations.
- The Tar Heels are on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, adding pressure to the current season.
As the Tar Heels navigate these changes, the hope is that Tanner’s extensive experience and deep ties to the university will help guide the program into a new era of success.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
