UNC basketball to honor Roy Williams at halftime of game with NC State for ‘closure’
Roy Williams expects to be emotional when he is honored at halftime Saturday during North Carolina’s game against N.C. State at the Dean E. Smith Center.
“I’m sure I’ll be emotional because that’s just who I am,” the former UNC basketball coach told The News & Observer Friday evening.
When Williams, who coached the Tar Heels for 18 seasons, retired in April his announcement ceremony had limited attendance because of the pandemic. The longtime UNC head coach said several people in the athletic department including Eric Hoots, men’s basketball director of basketball operations; and Kaye Chase, special events manager in the athletic department, felt he should have an event more UNC fans could be involved in.
Saturday’s home game against the Wolfpack will provide fans that opportunity to celebrate Williams’ tenure.
“It came about because Eric Hoots, Kaye Chase and people in our office said there’s got to be more closure than just having a press conference and then you walking away,” Williams said. “They talked to Bubba (Cunningham, UNC’s athletic director) and some things were decided. Then they told me, this is what they wanted to do.”
It just so happens Williams’ acknowledgment comes as the Tar Heels take on the Wolfpack — a program Williams was always upfront in explaining how much he wanted to beat when he coached. As UNC’s coach he finished with a 33-5 record against N.C. State. (He was also 5-0 against the Pack while at Kansas.)
The timing of Williams’ recognition is curious to some at N.C. State. But head coach Kevin Keatts is not one of them.
“I’m not gonna read into that,” Keatts said. “I’m excited that they’re honoring him. He is a Hall of Fame coach and has done a lot for basketball. He’s done a lot for Carolina.”
UNC’s 1982 national championship team will also be recognized Saturday for the 40th anniversary of Dean Smith’s first title. Williams was an assistant coach for that team.
Having attended every home game this season during his retirement, and with Carolina currently 10-0 at the Smith Center, Williams would like to help add another victory to that total on Saturday.
“I said fine I’m very happy with the end, the press conference, I thought it went well,” Williams said. “But at the same time, if it brings closure for those people and it’ll help us our crowd get fired up a little bit more, then that’s the biggest thing.”
This story was originally published January 29, 2022 at 7:31 AM with the headline "UNC basketball to honor Roy Williams at halftime of game with NC State for ‘closure’."