Andrew Pace
Roy Allen Williams, born on August 1, 1950, is a retired college basketball coach. He served as the head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels for 18 seasons, from 2003 to 2021, and for the Kansas Jayhawks for 15 seasons, from 1988 to 2003. During his illustrious career, Williams led his teams to numerous championships and accolades, becoming a revered figure in the world of college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Roy Williams took over UNC basketball | 2003 |
| Total years as a head coach | 33 |
| Years as head coach at UNC | 18 |
| Years as head coach at Kansas | 15 |
| Number of national championships won with UNC | 3 |
| Number of national championships won overall | 4 |
| Number of wins at UNC | 485 |
| Total number of wins | 845 |
| Win percentage at UNC | 74% |
| Number of All-Americans coached at UNC | 6 |
| Number of first-round NBA Draft picks coached at UNC | 21 |
| Number of ACC Tournament championships won at UNC | 3 |
| Number of games won at Kansas | 418 |
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What You'll Learn
Roy Williams' career as a UNC basketball coach
Roy Allen Williams, born on August 1, 1950, is an American retired college basketball coach. He served as the men's head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels for his final 18 seasons, and for the Kansas Jayhawks for 15 seasons prior to that. Williams started his college coaching career at North Carolina as an assistant coach for Dean Smith in 1978. Four years later, North Carolina won the national championship. After ten years as Smith's assistant, Williams became head coach at Kansas in 1988, taking them to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments, four Final Four appearances, two national championship game appearances, and winning nine conference titles.
In 2003, Williams left Kansas to return to his alma mater, North Carolina, replacing Matt Doherty as head coach of the Tar Heels. Williams led his Tar Heels to their second consecutive ACC regular-season championship. On January 16, 2017, Williams won his 800th game as a head coach after defeating Syracuse 85–68. In the 2017 NCAA Tournament, North Carolina won its third national title in the Roy Williams era. Williams won 485 games at UNC, winning 74% of his games in Chapel Hill. In his final season, UNC went 18-11 overall, 10-6 in the ACC. The Tar Heels lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Wisconsin.
Williams has been recognized for his contributions to basketball and education. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Williams was also named by Forbes as America's Best College Basketball Coach in February 2009. In 2018, the University of North Carolina named the playing floor at the Dean E. Smith Center, home of the Tar Heels, as Roy Williams Court. Williams and his wife, Wanda, have contributed to charitable initiatives at UNC, including the Carolina Covenant, which allows low-income students to attend the university debt-free. They have also donated to scholarships for UNC students and athletes, as well as local charities.
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UNC basketball under Roy Williams
Roy Allen Williams (born 1 August 1950) is an American retired college basketball coach. He served as the head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team for 18 seasons, from 2003 to 2021. During his tenure, the Tar Heels won three national championships in 2005, 2009, and 2017.
Williams began his coaching career at North Carolina as an assistant coach under Dean Smith in 1978. After ten years as an assistant, he became the head coach at the University of Kansas in 1988, leading the team to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments and four Final Four appearances. In 2003, he returned to his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, as head coach.
Under Williams' leadership, the Tar Heels had a highly successful run, averaging more than 27 wins and nearly 12 ACC wins per season. In his 18 seasons at UNC, Williams won 485 games, achieving a 74% win rate. The Tar Heels produced 11 Associated Press top-10 finishes, 21 All-Americas, 17 first-team All-ACC selections, 21 first-round NBA Draft picks, six ACC scholar-athlete of the year awards, and seven Academic All-America honours.
In addition to his team's athletic achievements, Williams also emphasised the importance of education and community contribution. He was involved in initiatives such as the Carolina Covenant, which helps low-income students attend the university debt-free, and various charitable programmes. Williams was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
On 1 April 2021, Williams announced his retirement from coaching, shocking the sports world. Despite a slow start to his final season, the Tar Heels finished with an 18-11 overall record and a 10-6 record in the ACC. Williams' impact on UNC basketball was significant, and he is considered one of the greatest coaches in the sport's history.
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Roy Williams' retirement from UNC
Roy Allen Williams, born on August 1, 1950, is an American retired college basketball coach. Williams announced his retirement on April 1, 2021, after 33 years as a coach, with the last 18 years spent at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina (UNC).
Williams' illustrious career began in 1978 at UNC as an assistant coach for Dean Smith. Four years later, North Carolina won the national championship. In 1988, after ten years as Smith's assistant, Williams became the head coach at the University of Kansas, where he spent 15 years and took them to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments. In 2003, he returned to UNC as the head coach, replacing Matt Doherty.
During his time at UNC, Williams led the Tar Heels to three national championships in 2005, 2009, and 2017. He also won his 800th game as a head coach in 2017, achieving this feat in fewer seasons than any other coach in college basketball history. Williams accumulated a total of 485 wins at UNC, winning 74% of his games in Chapel Hill.
Williams' retirement came as a shock to the sports world, with many paying tribute to his impact on the game and the people who played it. He was praised for his integrity, his love for UNC, and his appreciation for the difference the university makes in North Carolina and beyond. Williams himself became emotional during his retirement announcement, reflecting on the difficulty of stepping down and his hopes for the players.
Since his retirement, Williams has remained connected to UNC, supporting the team and celebrating their successes. He has also been honoured by the university, with the playing floor at the Dean E. Smith Center, home of the Tar Heels, named "Roy Williams Court". Additionally, a stretch of Interstate 40 in North Carolina was named the "Roy Williams Highway" in December 2021.
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Roy Williams' impact on UNC basketball
Roy Williams, born on August 1, 1950, is an American retired college basketball coach. He served as the men's head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels for 18 seasons, from 2003 to 2021, and for the Kansas Jayhawks for 15 seasons, from 1988 to 2003. Williams began his coaching career at North Carolina as an assistant coach in 1978 and helped the team win the national championship in 1982.
During his tenure at UNC, Williams had a significant impact on the team's success. He led the Tar Heels to three national championships in 2005, 2009, and 2017, and to 11 Associated Press top-10 finishes in the last 17 years. In 2017, Williams won his 800th game as a head coach, becoming the only coach in college basketball history to win 400 games at two different schools. Williams also guided the Tar Heels to two consecutive ACC regular-season championships and multiple ACC Tournament championships.
Williams' impact extended beyond the basketball court. He emphasized the importance of education and supported initiatives like the Carolina Covenant, which helps low-income students attend UNC debt-free. He and his wife, Wanda, have contributed significantly to this program and other charitable causes. Williams was also recognized for his integrity and leadership by UNC's Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions, who admired his love for the university and its impact on North Carolina.
Williams' coaching abilities were widely respected, and he received praise from fellow coaches and players alike. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, further solidifying his impact on UNC basketball and the sport as a whole.
On April 1, 2021, Williams announced his retirement, shocking the sports world and marking the end of a successful coaching career that left a lasting legacy at UNC.
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Roy Williams' legacy at UNC
Roy Williams, born on August 1, 1950, is a retired college basketball coach. He served as the men's head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels for 18 seasons and the Kansas Jayhawks for 15 seasons. Williams started his college coaching career at the University of North Carolina as an assistant coach in 1978. Four years later, North Carolina won the national championship. After ten years as an assistant coach, Williams became the head coach at defending national champion Kansas in 1988. He took them to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments, four Final Four appearances, and two national championship game appearances.
In 2003, Williams left Kansas to return to his alma mater, North Carolina, replacing Matt Doherty. Williams led his Tar Heels to their second consecutive ACC regular-season championship. On January 16, 2017, Williams won his 800th game as a head coach after defeating Syracuse 85–68. In the 2017 NCAA Tournament, North Carolina won its third national title in the Roy Williams era. Williams won 485 games at UNC, winning 74% of his games in Chapel Hill. He is the only coach in college basketball history to win 400 games at two schools – 467 at Carolina and 418 at Kansas. Williams announced his retirement on April 1, 2021, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Williams has been described as having an "undying passion" for Carolina. He and his wife, Wanda, are known for their kindness and generosity in giving others a shot at a Carolina education. They have contributed more than $425,000 to the Carolina Covenant, an initiative at UNC that allows low-income students to attend the University debt-free. They have also donated millions of dollars to other programs at the University.
Williams has been honoured in several ways for his contributions to UNC. In 2006, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. On August 24, 2018, the University of North Carolina officially named the playing floor at the Dean E. Smith Center, home of the Tar Heels, as Roy Williams Court. Additionally, on December 8, 2021, the North Carolina Board of Transportation approved naming Interstate 40 "Roy Williams Highway".
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Frequently asked questions
Roy Williams took over as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2003.
Roy Williams coached the UNC Tar Heels for 18 seasons.
Roy Williams won 485 games at UNC, winning 74% of his games.
Roy Williams won three national championships at UNC in 2005, 2009, and 2017.
