Jay Hardy

Weekend Evening News Anchor/MMJ - WNCT-TV 9

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

The Vegas Golden Knights took 117 total SOG against Colorado in the Western Conference Finals.

Montreal had 88 SOG against the Canes in the Eastern Finals.

Freddie must be ready.
No rebound shots.

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@JGravleySPORTS Nope. I’m not tearing up.
Really well done. 👏🏻

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

Matt Doherty discusses UNC coaching search and Davis firing https://t.co/Qq6JRhqDPZ

[Nick Stevens @NickStevensHS]

Will Wade quit via an email from his agent.

I have a word for that but I try not use that language on this app. Lol

[NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK @TheNCSportsNet]

It’s amazing to me that so many folks are putting names like Golden and Oats on Carolina’s coaching list right now.

That, in and of itself, tells you exactly where we are in the modern conversation around college basketball: loud, reactive, and driven far more by buzz than by judgment.

Here’s the part that should matter—and apparently doesn’t enough.

If you’re Bubba Cunningham on the way out, and Steve Newmark on the way in, the absolute worst thing you can do in this moment is make another hire that invites unnecessary scrutiny, distraction, or controversy into a program that is already standing at the edge of a massive institutional pivot.

We’re not talking about just a basketball hire.

We’re talking about a flagship leadership decision being made at the exact same time North Carolina is preparing to embark on what is trending toward a $1 billion facilities transformation—one that will define the next 30–40 years of Carolina Athletics.

That is not the time to “win the press conference.”

That is the time to protect the institution.

And yet here we are… with people casually floating names that, with a simple search, come with questions—real questions—that you would be forced to answer the moment the hire is made.

So I’ll ask it the way it should be asked:

If you’re the Athletics Director…
If you’re the incoming leadership…
If you’re the Board of Trustees…

Are you willing to stand at that podium, look into the cameras, and put your reputation on the line vouching—not just for their ability to coach—but for everything that comes with them?

Because that’s the job.

And if there’s even hesitation in answering that question, then why are we even entertaining it?

Especially when—and this is the part that keeps getting ignored—there are perfectly qualified, high-level candidates out there right now…

…with clean tracks
…with strong leadership profiles
…with proven program-building ability
…and without the baggage

At some point, doesn’t that have to matter?

Carolina has already lived through what happens when decisions are influenced by voices outside the room. The Board of Trustees stepping into athletics decisions—particularly on the football side—has already shown how quickly things can get sideways when governance blurs into operations.

You don’t compound that.

You correct it.

You’re taking a risk Carolina doesn’t need to take.

But—and this is a big but—if the Carolina sugar daddies on Wall Street want something done, it’s probably going to get done.

Because in 2026, the reality is this:

Athletic Directors are, more than ever before, operating as donor managers—call it what it is—trying to keep the checks flowing in a fully professionalized college sports economy.

If the donors want something, they don’t need a vote.
They don’t need a meeting.
They don’t need permission.

They just need to pause a check.

And everyone in that building understands exactly what that means.

That’s the pressure point.

That’s the leverage.

And that’s the reality Carolina is dealing with—for the second time since December 2024—when putting together a coaching search.

So the question isn’t just who should Carolina hire.

The real question is:

Who is actually making the decision?

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

Smoke. Now, fire.

[Shelby Swanson @shelbymswanson]

Reposting this for no reason at all...

[Dan Dakich @dandakich]

Real dirtbag stuff from all!!
North Carolina St got EXACTLY what they deserve

[Joe Ovies @joeovies]

Drop by Bond in Terminal 2, grab an OG Lite, and reflect on how history rhymes in the Triangle.

[Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein]

Sources: LSU will officially part ways with Matt McMahon today and hire NC State's Will Wade as its next head basketball coach.

Wade was previously the head coach of the Tigers from 2017-22.

[On3 @On3]

BREAKING: NC State head basketball coach Will Wade is expected to leave for LSU, @PeteNakos and @JoeTipton report.

https://t.co/IMUh6OzIk1

[Inside Pack Sports @InsidePackSport]

Multiple sources have confirmed that NC State head coach Will Wade will leave after one season and accept the head coaching job at LSU, whenever it becomes available in the near future. https://t.co/TMMRmmbSqn

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@drebly_32 ALL of this! 💪🏻

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

WHAT A MOVE!!!! Let’s go USA!!!! 🇺🇸

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@MartySmithESPN @ESPNMcGee
Great interview with Seth. Big game tonight!
How do we get Coach K and Coach Saban together to run the college athletics current “show”?
Both, so knowledgeable, experienced, respected and leaders of men.
There must be a way.

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@WeathermanVern @Canes @SpecNews1RDU Well done, sir. Well done. 👏🏻

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

I believe the jury is still out as to whether or not he’s good for university.

[Brian Murphy @murphsturph]

Like a war-time president, Roberts is becoming a sports-time chancellor: Belichick hire, football commitment, big increase in athletics funding, decision to make on future of Smith Center, now on CFP Board of Managers, maybe decide future of Hubert Davis.

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@JesseBWatters Why does any real man have a bird? Maybe Acosta could gain some manhood by traveling to Mississippi and capturing the “medical monkeys” on the loose. And, I’ll need an update on the monkeys on tomorrow’s show. The fear is real. lol

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Back home and it feels so good!

You’ve got two tailgating opportunities this week, and @HarrisTeeter is here to help.

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

Incredible performance!

[MLB @MLB]

Shohei Ohtani delivered an all-time #Postseason performance last night 💪

Repost and reply for a chance to win this Shohei Ohtani @Topps card!

[Jay Hardy @Jay_AccExec]

@CoachMackBrown Happiest of birthdays, Ms. Sally.