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Sports world reacts to North Carolina's Roy Williams retiring

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams waves to the crowd after a basketball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Sports world reacts to North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams retiring

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 4/1/21

North Carolina Tar Heels basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring, with the news shocking the sports world as one of college basketball’s greatest coaches steps away from the game.

The Tar Heels reached the NCAA Tournament this year but were quickly eliminated in the first round. Now, after rumors flew around Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels made the news official on Friday.

After 33 years as a Hall of Fame head coach, our beloved Tar Heel Roy Williams is announcing his retirement.

Thank you for all you have done and meant to everyone who plays and loves our game.

Release : https://t.co/l6y5tRjB2I pic.twitter.com/FzTUmbx3v1
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) April 1, 2021

Williams has coached the men’s basketball team since 2003, taking over the program following a long stint with the Kansas Jayhawks. It was a return home for the North Carolina native, who grew up in Marion, N.C. and later served as an assistant on the Tar Heels’ staff (1978-88).

Taking over for Matt Doherty in 2002, Williams oversaw an almost immediate turnaround of UNC’s basketball program. After reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first season at the helm, North Carolina won the national championship in 2005.

It would be the first of three NCAA Division I titles for the Tar Heels under Williams’ direction. Across 18 seasons in Chapel Hill, Williams’ teams reached the Final Four five times, won nine ACC regular-season titles and were named ACC Tournament champions three times.

Williams surpassed Bob Knight (899) on the all-time wins list for a head coach this past season, a year after he surpassed Dean Smith (879). Following his retirement, Williams ranks third among the all-time coaching leaders with 903 victories.

College basketball fans, analysts react to Roy Williams retiring

When word first broke that Williams was retiring, many assumed it was a prank on April 1. When it became clear this wasn’t an April Fools’ joke, the college basketball world react with shock and honored the legendary coach.

I'm shook. I met Coach Williams as a young boy. I followed his entire head coaching career. I was sad when he turned UNC down the first time, elated when he said yes the second time. This is truly an emotional moment for me, for UNC fans everywhere, & for the game of basketball.
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) April 1, 2021

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. pic.twitter.com/kt8AUzo9zS
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 1, 2021

This is NOT an April’s Fools joke.

Roy Williams has retired. https://t.co/AhpFjZevkc
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 1, 2021

I hope within next few years Roy Williams comes back to Allen Fieldhouse and is honored, along with everyone who played for him. It will be 25-year anniversary of his 97 team next season. I'm sure that'd mean a lot to him and I think KU fans would give him a huge ovation.
— CJ Moore (@CJMooreHoops) April 1, 2021

Roy Williams is a gentleman and obviously an all-time great. We will miss him on the floor. I’ll mostly miss the “now, you can’t tell this story on TV” stories, that almost always left all of us howling in laughter. All the best Roy. Congratulations on a brilliant career!
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) April 1, 2021

Just last week we talked about the Blue Bloods being at a crossroads with an aging Coach K and Roy Williams.

Now 70, Roy Williams retires. End of an era https://t.co/OCQuey3KY6
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) April 1, 2021

College basketball loses one of its all-time greats. Roy Williams is third all-time in wins by a Division I head coach with 903. There aren’t enough words to describe the Hall of Famer’s impact, whose coaching and fun loving personality has only made the sport better.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 1, 2021

I just love Roy Williams. He exemplified the Carolina way and is just the best. Congratulations on an amazing career and cheers to a deserved retirement pic.twitter.com/WkCd3wZK1x
— Andrew Yavorski (@a_yavorski) April 1, 2021

As a UNC fan, I’ve had Dean Smith and Roy Williams coach this team. Absolutely lucky to have as a fan. Helluva career coach. https://t.co/mH9I4PZZ76
— SBR (@shanezoola) April 1, 2021

UNC fans after Roy Williams retire on April Fools day pic.twitter.com/tmFGMGEcFH
— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) April 1, 2021

My schtick today was going to be to take every April Fool's joke, no matter how contrived, at face value. UNC & Roy Williams destroyed that with the first one I tried. As a Duke grad, it's fun when both of them are good. He seems like a legit good guy, and I wish him the best.
— SportsAngle (@SportsAngle) April 1, 2021

Don’t even know where to begin.

Roy Williams saved North Carolina basketball. https://t.co/dBDpspI5gs
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) April 1, 2021

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, 70, has retired.

Williams won 3 national titles (2005, 2009, 2017), and leaves with a career mark of 903-264 in 33 seasons.

He spent 15 years at Kansas and 18 as the head coach at UNC.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 1, 2021

Never forget this classic video.

Salute to @UNC_Basketball legend Roy Williams on a great career. pic.twitter.com/HIGphEfA5q
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 1, 2021

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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