Michael Malone's first coaching staff at North Carolina has had some vacancies for some time now.
Ever since Kim English backed out from joining the program as an assistant coach, Malone has been searching for viable options that he can bring to Chapel Hill. He has brought home a fan favorite in a graduate position role, and has now tabbed another well-rounded individual to join the staff as an assistant coach.
Bryan Tibaldi set to join Michael Malone's staff at North Carolina
North Carolina found a replacement for English with someone from his coaching staff last season at Providence. Inside Carolina was the first to report that Bryan Tibaldi has acceped a spot on Malone's coaching staff, a guy who comes to Chapel Hill with a variety of coaching experience under his belt.
Tibaldi, 41, is said to be coach who is development-driven. He comes from the Tom Izzo coaching tree, having played for him at Michigan State as a walk-on from 2005-2007 while also serving as a graduate assistant following his playing days.
A Traverse City, Michigan native, Tibaldi spent time with the Chicago Bulls as an assistant video coordinator and basketball operations assistant and followed it with a four‑year stint at Missouri, where he earned a promotion to serve as the program's director of basketball operations. He then fulfilled the same role at DePaul before heading to Cleveland State as an assistant coach. Before his stint at Providence, Tibaldi was with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization for six seasons.
As his resume indicates, Tibaldi brings both college and NBA experience with him to Chapel Hill. What makes this hire intriguing is his experience in player development. He clearly knows how to relate to players and understands what it takes to get to (and succeed in) the NBA, skills that will certainly bode well while working with a roster of current Tar Heels who aspire to take that next step to the professional level once their respective college careers come to a close.
Along with the addition of Tibaldi, Malone currently has four assistant coaches set to help him guide this year's team:
Chuck Martin
Sean May
Pat Sullivan
Bryan Tibaldi
According to NCAA rules, Malone still has room for one more bench assistant coach if he so chooses to hire one. However, Malone might not add another bench assistant, given his bench staff in the NBA was limited to just three spots. Ultimately, he might elect to add more support staff, which would emulate the NBA level more.
A young, innovative coach, Tibaldi seems like a really good hire for the UNC basketball program. His resume has proven that he is a rising star in the coaching ranks, as the hope is that he can come in and play a significant role on Malone's staff for years to come.
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