However, school officials wanted a big-name coach to counter the rise of rival North Carolina State under Everett Case.

Additionally, McGuire wanted to move out of New York City, as caring for his intellectually disabled son in a small apartment was difficult.

[5] Although McGuire had left New York City, he built around a core of players from in and around the area, including Lennie Rosenbluth, Joe Quigg, Tommy Kearns, Pete Brennan, Bob Cunningham, and Danny Lotz.

After two middling seasons in the newly formed Atlantic Coast Conference, McGuire first made an impact in 1955, when his Tar Heels routed then-#5 Alabama 99–77.

A year later, McGuire guided North Carolina to an undefeated 32–0 season in 1956–57, capped off by winning the NCAA championship game 54–53 in triple overtime against the Wilt Chamberlain-led Kansas Jayhawks.

[5] In January 1961, the National Collegiate Athletic Association placed North Carolina on probation for a year after an investigation found that the school had paid for the lodging and meals of players' parents at the Dixie Classic and reimbursed McGuire and recruiter Harry Gotkin what appeared to be an excessive amount of money for recruiting expenses without providing itemized bills.

[6][7] Combined with rumors of point-shaving by some UNC players, this led Chancellor William Aycock to force McGuire's resignation after the season.

Following his one season in the NBA, McGuire worked for two years in public relations in New York before returning to college basketball as head coach at the University of South Carolina in 1964.

The Gamecocks were denied an NCAA berth when they lost a controversial ACC championship game, in double overtime, to North Carolina State.

The others are: Roy Williams, Lute Olson, Jack Gardner, Forddy Anderson, Larry Brown, Eddie Sutton, John Calipari, Rick Pitino, Gene Bartow, Hugh Durham, Lou Henson, Bob Huggins, Kelvin Sampson, and Lee Rose.

Members of his coaching tree include Al and Dick McGuire, Bobby Cremins, Dean Smith, Doug Moe, Donnie Walsh, Lou Carnesecca, Larry Brown, Billy Cunningham, and George Felton.