On Thursday, North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball head coach Roy Williams announced his retirement after 33 years of experience at the collegiate level.
The 2007 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee led the Tar Heels to three national titles during his 18 years on the sidelines and a 485-163 record. The Tar Heels advanced to the Final Four three other times under Williams’ watch while claiming three ACC Tournament championships.
He leaves as the second-winningest head coach at North Carolina, behind only Dean Smith.
Prior to coaching at Chapel Hill, Williams spent 15 seasons as head coach at Kansas, amassing a 418-101 record. The Jayhawks made four trips to the Final Four with Williams, including two appearances in the national title game in 1991 and 2003.
💙💙💙#CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/jLxpNxUILZ
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) April 1, 2021
Williams, 70, finished third all-time in victories by a Division I head coach with 903. He posted the sixth-highest winning percentage of all-time in NCAA history and reached 900 wins in fewer games and seasons than any other coach in history.
During his 33 years as a head coach, Williams helped 32 players become first-round picks in the NBA with 52 players total in the league over that time. His legacy will go unmatched by only a few as his impact was greatly felt throughout the sport during his time on the job.
With the news that Williams will be walking away, those around the sport, including several former Tar Heels alumni, showed love to him on social media to congratulate him on an unbelievable career.
You changed the game for the better.
So much love and respect for you, Coach Williams!
More ➝ https://t.co/6B7LvenOya pic.twitter.com/1mrb0VHXSQ
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) April 1, 2021
Roy Williams has had some epic moments 😂👏
(via @The_ColeAnthony, @GoHeels, @UNC_Basketball) pic.twitter.com/h3TASrYzdL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 1, 2021
Wow 💔
— Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) April 1, 2021
Congrats on a amazing career Coach Roy!! I’ll never forget the conversation when he was recruiting me and he told me he was gonna play me 1-5! As great of a guy as he was a coach 👏🏽👏🏽
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) April 1, 2021
We were playing @UNC_Basketball at the Mohegan Sun tourney my sophomore year. That same year my mom passed. At the Tournament Dinner Roy Willams came over to me and said some comforting words about my loss. Went out his way to say something to the midmajor kid at the small school
— Malcolm Miller (@MalcMili13) April 1, 2021
I gotta say even though It’s always gonna be #L1C4 I did want to go to UNC my whole life! Roy was a huge part of that and he is and always will be a legend… Congrats coach on a great career!! https://t.co/MxfEVVGi6n
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) April 1, 2021
— Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) April 1, 2021
One hell of a career and even better person! Thank you for everything coach truly a honor playing for you!❤️ https://t.co/IEMritlFwG
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) April 1, 2021
Congrats to Roy Williams on an amazing career. Respect to one of the greats 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Uiboudg9zY
— Tre Jones (@Tre3Jones) April 1, 2021
Congratulations to UNC basketball Coach Roy Williams on his retirement after 33 years as a head coach! You’ve done a fantastic job developing young men on and off the court and leading UNC to 3 National Championships!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) 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
OMG I thought it was April Fools joke but it is TRUE Hall of Famer ROY WILLIAMS @UNC_Basketball is retiring . He’s been so good that he is one of my MT RUSHMORES OF COACHING in my 40 + yrs @espn Bob Knight – Coach K – Dean Smith – ROY WILLIAMS / Thanks for ALL the memories !
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 1, 2021
Coach Izzo on legendary @UNC_Basketball coach Roy Williams 🏀 pic.twitter.com/XolP4FuX31
— Michigan State Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) April 1, 2021
A living legend ‼️ https://t.co/zOhPzg25aa
— Dayron sharpe (@dayron_sharpe) April 1, 2021
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