Anaheim, Calif. ? The University of North Carolina is considering firing third-year coach Matt Doherty and apparently is poised to make a second run at Kansas University’s Roy Williams if that happens, according to sources close to the situation.

Administrators at the perennial Atlantic Coast Conference power apparently are upset about reports that as many as six, possibly seven, players — including prize freshmen Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton and Sean May — are threatening to leave after a discordant 19-16 season that ended Wednesday with a loss to Georgetown in the NIT quarterfinals.

The players met with athletic director Dick Baddour Thursday to voice their concerns. If there are mass defections, Doherty’s job could be in serious jeopardy.

Williams, a former assistant under legendary Carolina coach Dean Smith, was the first choice for the job in 2000 after Bill Guthridge retired. But he chose to stay at Kansas, and fans threw a lovefest in his honor when he returned to campus after visiting Chapel Hill. But the school has since changed athletic directors, and Williams reportedly is not enamored of current AD Al Bohl.

Meanwhile, Williams’ name has also surfaced at UCLA, which fired Steve Lavin this week. Williams repeatedly has denied he has talked to the Bruins.