A New Era at Chapel Hill: UNC Names AD Successor for 2026
A seismic shift is underway in Tar Heel country. After nearly two decades at the helm, Bubba Cunningham, the long-standing and highly respected Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina, has announced his decision to step down in June 2026. But the transition won’t leave the university adrift — in a carefully orchestrated succession plan, UNC has named Dr. Candace “Candi” Whitaker as his successor, marking a historic and forward-looking choice for one of the nation’s most storied athletic programs.
Whitaker, currently serving as the Deputy Athletic Director for Strategy and Innovation at UNC, is no stranger to the pressures or prestige of Carolina athletics. A former Division I basketball coach with executive stints at the ACC headquarters and Texas Tech, Whitaker has been a rising star in collegiate athletics administration. She joined UNC in 2022 and quickly earned a reputation as a tenacious leader, a savvy fundraiser, and a tireless advocate for student-athletes’ holistic development.
Bubba Cunningham’s tenure at Carolina has been nothing short of transformative. Since his arrival in 2011, Cunningham shepherded the Tar Heels through seismic changes in college sports — from NIL to conference realignment — while overseeing the construction of more than $200 million in facilities, boosting academic performance across all programs, and securing multiple national championships, including in men’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. His decision to stay on as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor ensures institutional continuity as the university pivots into a new chapter.
“I’ve always believed leadership is about preparing the next generation,” Cunningham said at the Friday press conference, flanked by Chancellor Guskiewicz and Coach Hubert Davis. “Candi is the embodiment of where Carolina is heading: innovative, resilient, and relentlessly student-centered. I couldn’t be more confident in the future of our department.”
The announcement was met with widespread praise across the Carolina community. Coaches lauded Whitaker’s approachability and strategic mind. Alumni noted her commitment to preserving UNC’s competitive legacy while adapting to the rapidly changing college athletics landscape.
“Candace has a vision,” said Anson Dorrance, legendary women’s soccer coach. “She understands what makes Carolina unique, and she’s bold enough to push it forward.”
Under Whitaker’s guidance, UNC has already launched the “NextHeels Initiative,” a forward-thinking platform that blends technology, alumni mentorship, and NIL education for student-athletes. She’s also been instrumental in enhancing mental health resources and pushing for equity across all sports programs — efforts that drew national attention.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Whitaker said, her voice steady but emotional. “Bubba has built a world-class department rooted in values and excellence. My job is to honor that legacy and carry it further, with integrity and vision.”
As the university eyes a future filled with both promise and unpredictability — from media rights battles to NCAA reforms — the Cunningham-to-Whitaker succession feels both timely and emblematic. North Carolina, always a standard-bearer, has made a bold yet calculated move.
The Tar Heels aren’t just ready for what’s next — they’ve already drafted the playbook.
