The college basketball coaching carousel took a huge turn when North Carolina decided to part ways with Hubert Davis. That immediately became the top available job in all of college basketball and arguably the best gig regardless of opening. UNC can go after anyone they want, as they can outpay, and it is a dream job for many elite basketball coaches. One name that is being floated is Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd.
As his name began to circulate, Arizona Wildcat fans online began to quote "PTSD" about coaches leaving, and many are blaming Jedd Fisch. A simple search with "Jedd Fisch" on X will reveal countless Wildcats fans hoping Lloyd doesn't leave as Fisch did.
I think Jedd Fisch gave me ptsd. Tommy needs to be a wildcat for life
— Delay (@Delay1_) March 26, 2026
A simple "I'm not going anywhere " would have put an end to everything...
— Nothing to see here.. (@pitcherscircle) March 26, 2026
But here we are, the current state College Sports ...
We saw it with Jay Johnson & Jedd Fisch...
i really dont think tommy leaves UA but i learned from jedd fisch that you cant trust anyone so who knows. still doubt it tho
— king clawthorne's defense attorney (@senatorswift) March 25, 2026
Tommy Lloyd does not put the rumors to bed and that has fans worried
Related: Danny Sprinkle may get second shot at star recruit after Creighton coaching shakeup
The reality for Arizona fans is that Fisch, when being pursued by Washington, was pretty dismissive of the rumors attaching him to UW. Now Lloyd seems to be doing the same thing. When asked about the UNC job, he basically said, "I'm 100% focused on this team." If we rewind, we find a similar "I'm the head coach at the University of Arizona" from Fisch.
When asked about it afterwards, Fisch even did the 100% thing. "I just think it’s time that everyone understands our commitment at Arizona was 100 percent truthful. And we were committed to making this program great. We made our players better than they’ve ever thought they could be and we were better than anyone thought we could. We brought national attention to the program. And we’re excited about taking that exact same model and bringing that model to Seattle.”
The stress is there for Arizona fans, though one pointed out the reality that the Athletic Director needs to be held under a microscope.
If Tommy Lloyd leaves for UNC, Arizona Athletics really needs to take a look in the mirror at the administration and the culture! This would be the 4th great coach to leave Arizona in the last few years!
— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) March 25, 2026
Jay Johnson - LSU
Jedd Fisch - Washington
Adia Barnes - SMU
Tommy Lloyd - ? https://t.co/VIajyNn2rg pic.twitter.com/I3g2sLjz5A
Washington fans know both the feeling of stealing a great coach and having a great coach stolen from them. There's a bit of laughter at Arizona energy, but also empathy from our own stress of watching Kalen DeBoer be stolen, and still some vitriol there. Or even nervousness about Tina Langley right now. It's the nature of the coaching carousel.
Fisch, also one of the best football coaches, continues to be mentioned when head coaching openings arise in college football. There's this never-ending spin of coaches jumping to new opportunities. It's an honor for Lloyd to have his name brought up, and Arizona needs to pay up to keep him. Same with Washington and Fisch or Langley. It's the nature of the business right now.
UW fans can wish Danny Sprinkle would become the caliber of coach that other schools want to poach. It's a nervous feeling but it means you are a great program.