Of UNC opening, Tommy Lloyd says 'I already have one of best jobs in the country'

His name had arisen in connection with the opening at North Carolina, generally regarded as one of the top three jobs in college basketball, with commensurate resources and compensation. So CBS' Seth Davis asked Lloyd about having his name linked to that job at this point of his career.

"I preferred the first question about Mix Master Mike," Lloyd said, grinning. "What I'll say, Seth, is that I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment."

Ultimately, Lloyd did not rule anything out while answering a difficult question.

Lloyd has repeatedly said how he likes being at Arizona, and multiple generations of his family have moved to Tucson to be with him. But if nothing else, interest from North Carolina could give Lloyd considerable leverage for resources and possibly a better-paying contract extension at a time when eight-figure roster budgets are becoming the norm among high-major programs.

In the first year of an amended five-year contract that runs through 2029-30 Lloyd is making $5.1 million this season from Arizona, and is scheduled to make the same next season, then $5.35 million in 2027-28, $5.6 million in 2028-29 and $5.85 million in 2029-30.

Those figures count school-paid base salary and $700,000 per year for additional duties, while Lloyd is also contracted to receive at least an extra $200,000 each from Arizona Sports Enterprises and Nike, for a total guaranteed package of $5.5 million this season.

Lloyd is also believed to have  a player roster budget north of $10 million, counting school- and booster-paid funds, that is below what top men's basketball programs have. UA will not release that figure publicly but its school-paid revenue-sharing figure is believed to be about $3.5 million, less than what many top-tier men's basketball programs are receiving from their schools, with outside-paid NIL funds making up the balance of its roster budget.

Lloyd received a new amended contract in April 2025 that did not pay him more than he was already contracted for through 2029, but added another year in 2029-30 that gives him a 4.5% raise in school-paid funds and gave him more say in roster budgets.

The primary addition to the new contract was a clause saying UA must "support the team so it is competitive nationally" by agreeing to a budget of NIL and outside sources to pay players by every Feb. 15 for the following academic year.

The contract states that UA must be in the upper end of Big 12 and power conference programs. It is not clear if or what number UA has agreed to for the 2026-27 year but top power conference teams have had roster budgets starting at $10 million this season.

CBS' Matt Norlander quoted sources saying UNC would look into Lloyd, Michigan's Dusty May and Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger as possible candidates, while ESPN's Jeff Borzello said industry insiders believed Lloyd was on the Tar Heels' short list. Also, North Carolina-based Athletic reporter Brendan Marks said UNC was poised to hire someone without ties to its program for the first time in 70 years.

"UNC, by far the best opening in this cycle, could swing big, with Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan among the potential candidates," Marks wrote.

If Lloyd left Arizona, he or his new school would have to pay UA an $11 million buyout if he moved before April 1 and a $9 million buyout if he leaves after April 1.

But Wednesday was March 25, and the Wildcats had a Sweet 16 game to play against Arkansas on March 26. That's where he kept his answer going.

"I think we have a great team," Lloyd said Wednesday. "I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.

"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100% focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."