Roy Williams, Longtime UNC Basketball Coach, Retires

CHAPEL HILL, NC — Roy Williams, the legendary college basketball coach who led the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to three NCAA national championships as part of a 48-year career in coaching basketball, has retired. UNC's athletic department confirmed the longtime coach's retirement Thursday morning.

The Tar Heels won national titles under Williams in 2005, 2009 and 2017. His team advanced to the national championship game in 2016, but lost to Villanova on a last-second shot. He won nearly 500 games as the team's head coach.

Before becoming UNC's coach in 2003, Williams was at the helm of the University of Kansas' men's basketball team for 15 seasons. At Kansas, he led the Jayhawks to the NCAA Championship Game in 1991 and 2003.

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

The North Carolina-born Williams spent 10 years as an assistant under iconic UNC coach Dean Smith before he landed the job at Kansas. He also spent time as the head coach at Owen High School in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Williams' final game was a loss to the University of Wisconsin in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament. He retired as No. 3 on the list of all-time winningest NCAA men's basketball coaches with 903 victories at North Carolina and Kansas combined.

A news conference on Williams' retirement is planned for 4 p.m. Thursday.

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