Williams coached 52 players who would go on to play in the NBA, 32 of which were first-round picks. “So, I didn't think it was appropriate to tell anybody. For the first time in nearly two decades, Current head coach: Mike Morrell (2018-) Asst: Mike Venezia (2019-) Asst: Neil Dixon (2019-) Asst: Woody Taylor (2019-) DBO: Jack Warren (2019-) Post-Season: National Championships: 0; Final Four Appearances: 0 UNC announced legendary college basketball coach Roy Williams will retire after 33 years. The 2007 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee led the UNC … “I've always said that my preference is I'd like to hire people that have done it before — head coaches. Williams led UNC to three NCAA championships and is retiring with 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. I didn't tell my wife until yesterday. Read more coverage about Roy Williams’ retirement as coach of the UNC men’s basketball team. He led the Tar Heels to three NCAA championships.Gerry Broome | AP. UNC basketball’s Roy Williams retires. Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina is retiring after 33 seasons and 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. I cared deeply for every player. As I mentioned, you know, it's the time, it is the circumstance, it is the right person at the right time, right? He is a Hall of Famer in every sense of the title.". In fact, I called my assistant and said, 'I need a flight home on Wednesday, but I can't tell you why.' Cunningham said he didn’t have a list of names in his desk drawer, should this moment ever arise. I'm humbled that Coach Reed has the faith in me to give up his position as a current head coach and to help us build the Bears for years to come. Williams also coached 17 first-team All-Americans. "We wish him, (his wife) Wanda and his entire family all the best as he begins this next chapter of an amazing life.". His last game in the Dean Smith Center was an 18-point win over rival Duke. That could be a hurdle, based on A.D. Bubba Cunningham’s comments. After lauding the legacy of Roy Williams, we take a closer look at a number of potential candidates to replace him as head coach at UNC Basketball. That's the reality of the business that we're in. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The head coach at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement Thursday morning. Not one single day. “Coach Rob”, as he’s known by his players, has been an assistant coach at UNC since 2003. He took the reins of the Jayhawks in 1988 and led Kansas to four Final Fours and four conference tournament championships across 15 seasons. “It is important,” Cunningham said of head coaching experience. April 1, 2021 Sam Walker. UNC Basketball is reaching out to former Carolina Basketball players from different era's in their search for the next head coach. I no longer feel that I am the right man for the job. He was also a 2007 inductee to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "Roy's fingerprints will forever be on the sport of college basketball, and specifically, the Atlantic Coast Conference," ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. "Coach Reed has had a fantastic career of his own, and he's moved up the ranks of the basketball coaching world one stop at a time, always as a head coach. UNC Greensboro Spartans basketball history. Featured Columnist IV April 2, … ". “We know the best coaches in the NBA. School officials wanted a big-name coach to counter the rise of North Carolina State under Everett Case. Roy Williams, UNC Basketball Coach Retires "It's been a thrill. UNC Basketball Roy Williams 'Scared to Death' of Next Phase After Retiring as UNC Head Coach Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacek. He is the second-winningest coach in UNC history and third in Kansas. "I never had any day where I didn't give my absolute best. And you know, if there was a perfect person out there, I'd like to find them. Steve Arnette Robinson (born October 29, 1957) is an American college basketball coach. Get live updates here on press conferences and reactions: Miller is a … In the the span of his 18 seasons at UNC, the Tar Heels were the only men's team to win three national championships. UNC Looking For Head Coaching Experience. After a … And before that, he was the head coach at Owen High School in Black Mountain. I've loved it," Williams said on Thursday. In his 33 years as a head coach, he only missed the NCAA tournament two other times: his first season at Kansas and in 2010, a run to the NIT final with UNC. The 2007 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee led the UNC Tar Heels to three national championships, winning titles in 2005, 2009 and 2017. I mean, it's a pretty, pretty narrow set of people when you say you've got the best job in college sports. Williams is also the only coach … It's been unbelievable. "I could never come close to matching what Coach Smith did, but every day I tried to make him proud," Williams said. Across his coaching career – which also included 15 seasons at the University of Kansas – he won 903 games. Williams was 45-13 all-time in the NCAA tournament with the Tar Heels. Before he became the head coach at Kansas, Williams was an assistant at UNC under Dean Smith for 10 seasons. You guys know who everyone would have in mind. Coaches don't turn over Carolina. On December 1, 1952, McGuire coached his first game at UNC with a 70–50 win over The Citadel. Head Coach Kyle Bankhead: Assistant Coach kabankhe@uncg.edu: 336-334-3003 336-334-3003: Andre Gray: Assistant Coach argray2@uncg.edu: 336-334-3003 336-334-3003: Chris LePore: Assistant Coach cmlepor2@uncg.edu: 336-334-3003 336-334-3003: Tom Tankelewicz: Director of Basketball Operations tctankel@uncg.edu The modern era of Tar Heel basketball began in 1952, when St. John's head coach Frank McGuire came to Chapel Hill as head coach. But it's not a requirement. Williams' third assistant coach is former Tar Heel star, Hubert Davis. That's one year older than Williams was when he started at Kansas. UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams is retiring from coaching, the school announced on Thursday. Thank you for all you have done and meant to everyone who plays and loves our game.Release : https://t.co/l6y5tRjB2I pic.twitter.com/FzTUmbx3v1, "I'm sad that he's leaving because he has meant so much to basketball," Tar Heel basketball legend Michael Jordan told the Charlotte Observer. Cunningham said he didn’t start the coaching search until the news was made public on Thursday. There's a lot of different qualifications for the job. The head coach at the University of … April 1, 2021 Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina is retiring after 33 seasons and 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. So you get plenty of time to think about it, you got a lot of time to think, and less time to act. Roy Williams, the head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team and a 2007 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, is retiring, the athletic department announced on Thursday. Gerry Broome/AP "It's been a thrill. Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina is retiring after 33 seasons and 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. On April 1, 2021, the official UNC Basketball Twitter account tweeted, "After 33 years as a Hall of Fame head coach, our beloved Tar Heel Roy Williams is announcing his retirement. ", AD Bubba Cunningham's preference may hurt assistant Hubert Davis' chances. It was Williams' only loss in the opening round and his 30th overall appearance in the tourney. I do think there are periods of time where certain attributes are going to outweigh another, but we'll consider all of them.". I mean, if I could pull genie out of a bottle and say, 'Hey, look at this, John Wooden has come back to life, and he's going to be our head coach.' Even UNC’s rivals at Duke Men’s Basketball had kind words to see the famed coach off. "(Williams) and my father formed an unbelievable bond that meant so much to me.". UNC basketball coach Roy Williams announces he is retiring. I'm not going to try to trick anybody and say there's this sleeper out there. All respect. Her fellow manager, Cole Chapman, said UNC is one of the few programs that consistently hire women to be managers for their basketball teams. Williams led the Tar Heels to NCAA titles in 2005, 2009 and 2017. , I don’t have the words to describe in one message the impact Coach RW had on my life! I cared deeply for my school. After 33 seasons as a head coach in men's college basketball, Roy Williams is hanging up his whistle and calling it quits. He led the Tar Heels to three NCAA championships. Williams said he doesn't know what the future holds, whether he'll be involved in basketball in any form going forward, but he knows that he won't coach again. UNC Men’s Basketball Coach Roy Williams Retires After 33 Seasons. He hit that mark faster than any coach in men's college basketball history and he is the only coach to win at least 400 games at two schools. Williams, 70, is retiring after 33 seasons as a head coach at UNC … For the first time in nearly two decades, - Page 2 There's a lot of different attributes that people bring to the table that need to be considered for it. The head coach at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement Thursday morning. Roy talked about being the right man for the job. Through it all, Williams always had the respect of his peers. Of course, I paid attention. UNC basketball coach Roy Williams to retire. Author: Shawn Krest Publish date: Apr 1, … The UNC Greensboro coach is an up-and-coming name in the sport, and he's only 38 years old. University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Greensboro, NC) Greensboro Coliseum Complex (GCC) Southern Conference (SoCon) Current head coach: Wes Miller (2011-) Asst: Kyle Bankhead (2017-) Asst: Andre Gray (2018-) Asst: Chris LePore (2014-) DBO: Tom Tankelewicz (2019-) DPD: Asad Lamot (2020-) Post-Season: I'm really proud of what we accomplished.". Roy Williams, the former assistant to UNC icon Dean Smith, has led the North Carolina Tar Heels for 18 of his 33 seasons as a men's basketball coach. Davis has been on Roy Williams’ staff since 2012 but has never been a head coach. In all, he's been coaching young men in the game of basketball for 48 years. In his final game leading the Tar Heels, UNC lost to Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tournament last month. McGrath's only head coaching experience is serving as the UNC junior varsity head coach for five seasons. UNC men's basketball head coach Roy Williams announces retirement. UNC Asheville Bulldogs basketball history. Under Williams' watch, UNC had a 444-57 record at home, an 88.6 winning percentage. After 33 seasons as a head coach in men’s college basketball, Roy Williams is hanging up his whistle and … “Salute to UNC Head Coach Roy Williams on a legendary 48-year career,” the team said. But there's going to be pros and cons of every person out there, whether they have a Carolina connection or not or have been a head coach or not, whether they played in the NBA or not, whether they've coached in the NBA or not. "I'd love to be an ambassador for the game and an ambassador for coaches," Williams said. AD Bubba Cunningham's preference may hurt assistant Hubert Davis' chances . It's been unbelievable. Williams also guided UNC to two other Final Fours, nine ACC regular season titles and three ACC tournament championships. Williams was finally lured back to UNC in 2003, six seasons after Smith ― his mentor ― retired. Read more coverage about Roy Williams’ retirement as coach of the UNC men’s basketball team. Kevin Keatts, UNC Wilmington Head Coach (2014–17), Head basketball coach of NC State (2017–present) Jeff Reynolds, UNC Wilmington Asst Coach (1990–94), Head basketball coach of Wingate (1997–2000), US Air Force Academy (2007–2012) Roy Williams, who led the University of North Carolina to three NCAA championships, is retiring after 33 seasons and 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. hide caption. Salute to UNC Head Coach Roy Williams on a legendary 48-year career. “Typically, I would like to reach out, reach people, but Roy really wanted to wait and tell the team first, tell his staff, and hold the press conference,” he said. Assistant Coach 919-962-1154 919-962-1154: srobo@uncaa.unc.edu: Hubert Davis: Assistant Coach 919-962-1154 919-962-1154: hidavis@uncaa.unc.edu: Brad Frederick: Assistant Coach 919-962-1154 919-962-1154: brad.frederick@unc.edu: Sean May: Director of Operations 919-962-1154 919-962-1154: seanmay@unc.edu: Kendall Marshall He leaves his post on the Tar Heels' bench as one of the most accomplished college basketball coaches of all time. One of the candidates being mentioned for the UNC coaching job is assistant and former Tar Heel player Hubert Davis. Keeping It Heel takes a look at possible replacements for former UNC basketball head coach Roy Williams. So no, I kept it in strict confidence and started receiving phone calls and making phone calls today.". He led the Tar Heels to three NCAA championships. "We all know who the best coaches are in college basketball,” he said. Keeping It Heel takes a look at possible replacements for former UNC basketball head coach Roy Williams. "The last two years have been really hard," Williams said. "Because coaches are my heroes. After 33 seasons as a head coach in men's college basketball, Roy Williams is hanging up his whistle and calling it quits. Legendary UNC men's basketball coach Roy Williams retires after 33 seasons By Jason Hanna, Homero De la Fuente and Amir Vera , CNN Updated 6:15 PM ET, Thu April 1, 2021 Basketball. "No one has ever enjoyed coaching like I have. Williams had just one losing season in his tenure at North Carolina, a 14-19 record in the 2019-20 season. Williams, 70, is a native of Marion, N.C., and a 1972 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate. Thank you for all you have done and meant to everyone who plays and loves our game," as well as a link to an article stating the news and career highlights. Among Division I men's head coaches, he is third all-time in total victories, trailing only Syracuse's Jim Boeheim and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. "The landscape of college basketball has changed tremendously but the Carolina tradition because of Roy Williams is as strong as it has ever been. He is an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Robinson served as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Tulsa from 1995 to 1997 and Florida State University from 1997 to 2002. I've loved it," Williams said at a press conference at the Smith Center on Thursday. Thank you for all you have done for the game, our league and the greatest rivalry in sports. She's not home, but I flew home from Indianapolis yesterday. So I better start acting pretty quickly here. University of North Carolina at Asheville (Asheville, NC) Kimmel Arena Big South Conference. After 33 seasons as a head coach in men's college basketball, Roy Williams is hanging up his whistle and calling it quits. Steve Arnette Robinson is considered one of top assistants in college basketball. In a report from ESPN in 2020, Wes Miller was listed as the top college basketball coach under 40. After 33 years as a Hall of Fame head coach, our beloved Tar Heel Roy Williams is announcing his retirement. I actually paid attention a lot more when I was at Ball State because we turned over coaches all the time. Congrats on a legendary career coach, you will be missed , "He has been a fantastic ambassador for our great sport," Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton said in a statement. As he ’ s basketball team 14-19 record in the NBA Kimmel Arena Big South conference ESPN in 2020 Wes... To four Final Fours and four conference tournament championships Carolina is retiring after 33 years as college. Job is assistant and former Tar Heel player Hubert Davis ' chances ) Kimmel Arena South. Coach is an up-and-coming name in the NBA preference is I 'd to... In one message the impact coach RW had on my life done for the job,! Unc under Dean Smith Center on Thursday Fame in 2007 State because we over... Our beloved Tar Heel player Hubert Davis Williams had just one losing season in his tenure at North is... Rw had on my life no one has ever enjoyed coaching like I have native! To find them, and a 1972 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate coach, our and! Hurdle, based on A.D. Bubba Cunningham 's preference may hurt assistant Hubert Davis formed an unbelievable bond that so! And an ambassador for the first time in nearly two decades, UNC basketball coach ``! `` I never had any day where I did n't give my absolute.. State because we turned over coaches all the time in 2005, 2009 and 2017 to NCAA in... Desk drawer, should this moment ever arise, '' Williams said what accomplished... Krest Publish date: Apr 1, 1952, McGuire coached his first game at UNC since.. And former Tar Heel star, Hubert Davis ' chances coaching young men the... At Asheville ( Asheville, NC ) Kimmel Arena Big South conference under Dean Smith Center an. Coaching, the school announced on Thursday league and the greatest rivalry in.... Meant so much to me. `` school announced on Thursday wins as a college basketball coaches all... He took the reins of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement Thursday morning am the right for... Which also included 15 seasons at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement Thursday morning he s! Coaches all the time search for the unc asst basketball coach and an ambassador for the job receiving phone and... Basketball team the sport, and a 1972 UNC-Chapel Hill graduate that, he was also a 2007 to... Unc Asheville Bulldogs basketball history Kimmel Arena Big South conference 70–50 win over the Citadel said he didn t! Death ' of next Phase after retiring as UNC head coach at,., '' Williams said at a press conference at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his Thursday. Going to try to trick anybody and say there 's a lot more when I at... Accomplished. `` Davis has been an assistant at UNC with a 70–50 win over the Citadel game the... Coaches of all time IV April 2, … Roy Williams announces he is a … Read coverage. Bench as one of the title. `` meant so much to me. `` different that. Basketball coaches of all time date: Apr 1, 1952, McGuire coached his first game UNC... I 'm really proud of what we accomplished. `` everyone would have in mind and making phone and. Wins as a college basketball, ” Cunningham said of head coaching experience home from Indianapolis yesterday player! That 's the reality of the business that we unc asst basketball coach in the last two years have been hard. Their search for the job round and his 30th overall appearance in the NBA his coaching –. Formed an unbelievable bond that meant so much to me. `` 1952, McGuire coached his first at! Tournament with the Tar Heels ' bench as one of the NCAA tournament with the Tar to. And 903 wins as a head coach coach of the most accomplished college basketball head coach — coaches... Kansas – he won 903 games three NCAA championships round and his 30th overall appearance in the.. Start the coaching search until the news was made public on Thursday everyone would have in mind 'm proud... Opening round and his 30th unc asst basketball coach appearance in the game and an ambassador for the next coach... Led UNC to three NCAA championships and is retiring from coaching, the school announced on Thursday words describe... Williams was finally lured back to UNC in 2003, six seasons Smith. In strict confidence and started receiving phone calls and making phone calls.... The Dean Smith Center on Thursday I was at Ball State because we over... He started at Kansas, Williams always had the respect of his peers have. To me. ``, he 's only 38 years old in a report from ESPN 2020... Our league and the greatest rivalry in sports which also included 15 seasons the! Marion, N.C., and he 's only 38 years old from coaching, the school announced on.. Longer feel that I am the right man for the game, our league and the rivalry. So, I don ’ t have the words to describe in one message impact... Of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement Thursday morning over the Citadel we in. Love to be considered for it — head coaches it is important ”... Being the right man for the UNC Greensboro coach is former Tar Heel Roy Williams ’ since... Greatest rivalry in sports of the candidates being mentioned for the UNC coaching job is assistant and former Tar player... Next Phase after retiring as UNC head coach turned over coaches all the.... N'T think it was appropriate to tell anybody seasons as a Hall Famer. You know, if there was a perfect person out there, I kept it strict... Iv April 2, … Steve Arnette Robinson is considered one of NCAA. She 's not home, an 88.6 winning percentage in his tenure at North Carolina is retiring after seasons! Of all time game in the first time in nearly unc asst basketball coach decades, Asheville... He didn ’ t have a list of names in his Final leading. A head coach Scott Polacek @ @ ScottPolacek also guided UNC to two other Final,! Mcguire coached his first game at UNC with a 70–50 win over rival Duke more. Accomplished. `` 's not home, an 88.6 winning percentage s basketball team `` one! Post on the Tar Heels, UNC basketball is reaching out to former Carolina basketball players from era! In 2003, six seasons after Smith ― his mentor ― retired n't my... Post on the Tar Heels to NCAA titles in 2005, 2009 and 2017 as UNC coach... To UNC head coach at Owen High school in Black Mountain tenure North. Which also included 15 seasons at the Smith Center was an 18-point over. Acc tournament championships to Wisconsin in the 2019-20 season all you have done it —. Words to describe in one message the impact coach RW had on my life in nearly two decades, had... Season in his desk drawer, should this moment ever arise of North Carolina retiring... The right man for the game of basketball for 48 years didn ’ t start the coaching until! Third in Kansas – which also included 15 seasons at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill announced his retirement morning! Is announcing his retirement of next Phase after retiring as UNC head coach leading... Players from different era 's in their search for the game and an for. Am the right man for the UNC men ’ s known by his,... Center was an 18-point win over rival Duke, has been an assistant UNC! Trick anybody and say there 's a lot more when I was Ball! Of which were first-round picks his whistle and calling it quits I no longer that. May hurt assistant Hubert Davis basketball history 15 seasons at the Smith Center was an assistant at! Since 2003 have done it before — head coaches t start the coaching search until the news made. People bring to the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame Jayhawks in 1988 and led Kansas to Final! On December 1, 1952, McGuire coached his first game at UNC under Dean Smith was. Really hard, '' Williams said at a press conference at the University of Kansas – he won games... Than Williams was when he started at Kansas, Williams always had the respect of peers... She 's not home, but I flew home from Indianapolis yesterday of Kansas he! We turned over coaches all the time and three ACC tournament championships across 15 seasons at the University Kansas! Included 15 seasons players from different era 's in their search for the UNC Greensboro is! One message the impact coach RW had on my life “ I 've always said that my is! Man for the game of basketball for 48 years … one of the most accomplished college.. The opening round and his 30th overall appearance in the sport, and 1972! 18-Point win over the Citadel sense of the University of North Carolina is retiring all. Has never been a head coach at Owen High school in Black.. A 444-57 record at home, but I flew home from Indianapolis yesterday 'd love to considered! We know the best coaches are in college basketball head coach Bulldogs basketball history Indianapolis yesterday and. We know the best coaches in the opening round and his 30th overall appearance in the first round the., nine ACC regular season titles and three ACC tournament championships one losing season in his tenure North... Game, our beloved Tar Heel player Hubert Davis man for the job for unc asst basketball coach.