NCAA Basketball Community Salutes Roy Williams As He Announces His Retirement

This is not a joke. UNC basketball head coach Roy Williams is retiring after 33 seasons. The basketball community has already begun paying tribute to Roy Williams and his legendary career. During his three-plus decades as UNC’s head coach, Williams led the Tar Heels to three national titles (2005, 2009, and 2017). Even the Tarheels arch-rival Duke Blue Devils basketball program tipped their cap to Williams for his illustrious career.

ESPN analyst and former Duke Blue Devil Jay Bilas had nothing but positive things to say about Roy Williams.

“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.”, said Bilas.

Even Jay Williams went against his Blue Devil blood and showed his respect for the long-time Tarheels coach.

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.”

The 70-year-old Roy Williams, who spent nearly 50 years as a college basketball coach, will be speaking to the media at the Dean E. Smith Center today at 4 p.m.

The second-winningest coach in UNC history, Roy Williams’s 903 wins in 33 seasons is 100 more than any other coach in NCAA history, with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski sitting at 803, and fellow legendary UNC head coach Dean Smith at 802.
Congratulations to Roy Williams for an outstanding career. Your influence on the game will last a lifetime.

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