Roy Allen Williams is head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After averaging about an 80 percent win percentage in 15 seasons at the University of Kansas, he became the 18th head coach at North Carolina when he replaced Matt Doherty in 2003.
Williams is second all-time for most wins at Kansas behind Phog Allen, and third all-time in the NCAA for winning percentage. He earned his 400th win in January 2003, when Kansas beat the University of Wyoming. Coach Williams won his 500th career game against High Point University on Dec. 9, 2006 in Chapel Hill.
On April 4, 2005, Williams shed his title as "the most successful coach to never have won an NCAA ring" as his Tar Heels defeated the University of Illinois in the 2005 NCAA Championship game. Williams was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Pretty impressive resume, yet Roy Williams never gets credit for being the outstanding coach and person he truly is.
His "critics" always point out there have been lots of "loaded" teams he has coached that have never won a championship, and that he has only won one championship while winning with another coach's recruits. Never mind that it takes more than "loaded" teams to win a championship, as injuries, timing, playing as a team, players' mentalities, etc. all play into that scenario.
Also, he took a group of players recruited by Doherty who were talented and had lots of potential, yet were dysfunctional as a team, and he molded them into a championship team.
Still, Roy Williams is overrated as a coach. Sounds like either petty jealousies or his critics don't know what they are talking about. I feel both apply.
I never hear how overrated coaches like Lute Olson, Jim Valvano, Jim Boeheim, and others are for not winning with "loaded" teams and only winning one championship. Some great coaches never win a championship or even get their teams in the Final Four but have not come under the same scrutiny as Roy Williams.
It seems to me that some people are even at the point of loathing Williams. Why all the hate and scrutiny?
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about 1 month ago
there is no doubt he is a good coach and incredible recruiter. Some people are just ignorant. However, this year's team could be coached by my sister and win 30 games haha...
from about 1 month ago
"However, this year's team could be coached by my sister and win 30 games haha..."
Agreed. But Williams still had to get the players to buy into the "team" concept. He is doing a great job keeping egos in check and distributing minutes. Maybe your sister could get on his staff though ;0)
from about 1 month ago
Good point, Michael. He's right out of the Dean Smith mold in that respect. God, I miss Dean, but Roy is aces with me.
about 1 month ago
What's your point?
I am a lifelong Tarheel fan and have never heard someone say Williams is overrated or anything along those lines. On the contrary, most coaches and writers consider him to be one of the best. Who are is critics? You have no quotes or references to anything negative being said in the basketball community.
If you wanted to write a profile and puff piece on Williams great!! Being inducted into the College Basketball HOF says everything about him as a coach. Watch those wikipedia references they can contain some inaccurate information.
Go Heels!!
from about 1 month ago
He took some criticism last year here in Chapel Hill for wearing a Kansas sticker during the Championship game (right after the Tar Heels were decimated by the Jayhawks), but the students got over it pretty quickly. =) (I never had a problem with it myself). Lucky, I hear the actual coaching criticism all the time, but then I live in Chapel Hill and get to hear it first-hand from Durham (Duke) and Raleigh (N.C. State) on a virtual daily basis.
The criticisms generally go like this:
- he can't win the big game
- he is a great recruiter, but not a good coach
- he is a "whiner" and whines about the refs
Keep in mind this is coming from Duke and State fans, so it's worthless criticism.
If you're a lifelong Heels fan and haven't heard Roy Williams' criticism, you must hang with a small crowd! ;-)
don't you remember last year, when Coach K specifically criticized Williams for "whining about injuries"? Basically, since there's no valid reasons to attack his coaching ability, they go after his personal characteristics.
As you know, we're thrilled to have him here in Chapel Hill, and I certainly hope he'll retire here (as I believe he will).
from about 1 month ago
Don't get upset. I am also a die hard, life long UNC fan. I was just writing an opinion piece; my opinion on how Roy Williams is not respected as a great coach. I am with Nathan (even though he was kidding with you) as I have lived in California, Washington State and now Idaho and have heard fan talk about how lame a coach Williams is because he is a "choker" and doesn't know X's and O's, etc. If you go on CBSsportsline.com and look at the fan blogs in the UNC section, there is a lot of hate for Roy and just not from Duke or NC State fans. Williams has also had criticisms leveled against him on ESPN by so called college basketball experts also.
I thought I would try to write an opinion piece that was of interest to me as this is my first time trying. Sorry to offend.
from about 1 month ago
I think the author lives in California. 'Nuff said.
about 1 month ago
Nathan, thanks for the reply.
I guess I just tune out the critics that have an agenda, per your example. I covered the ACC for a local TV station from 1990-95 and heard the same type of criticism about Cremins, Rick Barnes and Dave Odom. All great coaches that never won a big one. During that period, the press room railed on Dean Smith for the same things that you mention, because coach K was racking up titles 15 miles down the road. Can you imagine that! During the Duke run, Coach Smith would get hammered in post game interviews about the program falling off and not winning a title since '81.
When I read this article I expected some tangible critique of Williams as a coach, not some rumblings of fans at a local tavern.
Like you, I have quite a wide circle of Tarheel friends and everyone of us is greatful Roy came back to UNC to finish out his career. As much as I love watching them win, I love the respect and pride he brought back to the program. That is what was missing when Dean Smith left. I don't care if he loses every final four, but if he makes me proud to be a Tarheel then he is doing his job.
about 1 month ago
Michael,
I get worked up a bit after too much turkey and sweet potatoes! I love the Heels, but try to stay grounded in reality. I liked the facts and perspective, I thought maybe I would hear first hand some of the specific critiques of his career. I preferred your approach and it made for postive reading. Thanks and PEACE!!!
from about 1 month ago
Lucky,
No problem. I appreciate the positive reply to my comment as I was really not trying to upset anyone. It was my first time writing an article and I will try out some of your suggestions. I am glad you got some good turkey and sweet potatoes also. Have a great weekend and PEACE also.
about 1 month ago
Great article. I think Roy Williams is an excellent coach. He sure beat my favorite team, the Oregon Ducks, pretty easily.
from about 1 month ago
I think Oregon has a lot of upside as they are really young but talented. I know UNC beat them but the Oregon players showed glimpses of very good talent for next year. Who knows, they might pull things together before the end of this year. Good luck this season!
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