It’s been quite a career for Roy Williams. After 33 seasons between Kansas and the University of North Carolina, the legendary coach is retiring.
Williams has three NCAA championships and nine Final Four appearances along with a 903-264 coaching record. He ranks fourth all-time in wins for a Division-1 head coach.
The news came seemingly out of the blue. It wasn’t necessarily expected that Williams would retire after UNC’s 2020-21 season. They made the tournament with an 18-11 record but were bounced out in the first round by Wisconsin.
College basketball fans everywhere had questions about the timing of things. But, mostly, they all appreciated Williams’s run as one of the best coaches in NCAA history.
Roy Williams has been a credit to the profession, and one of the truly great coaches of all-time, in any sport. Williams is also a wonderful person. Congratulations on a magnificent career, and thank you. pic.twitter.com/kt8AUzo9zS
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 1, 2021
There has been speculation that Roy Williams was going to retire in the last couple weeks. He’s 70 years old, and has been frustrated with the direction that college basketball is headed, per sources. One of those areas was the rash of transfers of late, also concerned about NIL.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 1, 2021
well, guess i'll drop a "roy williams is wildly underrated" thread later today. https://t.co/QDgsUcNbwS
— bomani (@bomani_jones) April 1, 2021
Roy Williams, ladies and gentlemen
903 wins
9 Final Fours
79 NCAAT wins
485 wins at UNC
3 ACC Tournament titles
2× AP Coach of the Year
3 National Championships
9 ACC regular season titles
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
48 seasons as a basketball coach💙💙💙
— UNC Humor (@UNC_Humor) April 1, 2021
Since Roy Williams returned to North Carolina, the program leads (plus ties) the country in:
NCAA Tournament wins (45)
Final Fours (5)
National title games (4)
National Championships (3)He guided the best program in the country over the last 18 seasons.
Well earned retirement
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) April 1, 2021
My Duke people WILL NOT like this but I grew up a @UNC_Basketball fan.. sad to see a legend retire in Roy Williams. Roy has always been a class act & is one of the greats. Big decision time for a program in which I admire & always respected in our rivalry.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) April 1, 2021
If This is indeed it for Roy Williams….how fitting that he swept Dook on his way out the door! pic.twitter.com/lxZmkjxMvZ
— My Name is Mario & I am a Tar Heel (@Briccyardlilyo) April 1, 2021
Roy Williams is a gentleman and obviously an all-time great. We will miss him on the floor. I’ll mostly miss the “now, you can’t tell this story on TV” stories, that almost always left all of us howling in laughter. All the best Roy. Congratulations on a brilliant career!
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) April 1, 2021
Championships and accomplishments aside, there just isn’t ever gonna be anybody else as “pure Carolina” as Roy Williams.
— Andy (@Andy_Davenport_) April 1, 2021
Announcing your retirement on April Fools feels like a classic Roy Williams move. A daggum legend.
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) April 1, 2021
The last UNC points in the Dean Dome while Roy Williams was coach were scored by KJ Smith; Kenny Smith's son.
What a world.
— nbabeau (@NBABeau) April 1, 2021
Roy Williams retires from UNC. Wow. What a career.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 1, 2021
903 wins. 3 National Titles. 9 Final Fours
ICON.
I loved my chats over the last few years with Coach Roy Williams. Such a refreshingly kind spirit. Always made time and always left with a laugh and smile. Every time. pic.twitter.com/dPg0XUhpHp
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) April 1, 2021
Roy Williams is 70 y’all. Let him relax the rest of his days. He deserves it!
— David Whitehead (@SneakerDave) April 1, 2021
A well-deserved retirement, indeed.
