Roy Williams Bio And Facts
Roy Williams
Roy Williams is a former American collegiate men's basketball coach, most known for coaching the University of North Carolina. Williams retired in 2021 after 18 seasons with the Tar Heels. Prior to coaching at UNC, Williams was the head coach at the University of Kansas. He coached at Kansas from 1988-2003. Prior to his job at Kansas, Williams was a head coach of a small high school in North Carolina, and was an assistant under legendary coach Dean Smith at UNC. Roy Williams is renowned as one of the best, winningest coaches of his era. In 33 years of being a head coach, Williams mounted an unbelievable 903-264 record. He captured three NCAA Tournament Championships and nine NCAA Tournament Final Four appearances. Williams was elected into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, and then inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Basic Info:
- Birthdate: August 1, 1950
- Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
- Education: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Net Worth: $12 million
- Occupation: High School and Collegiate Basketball Coach
- Height: 6’0”
- Years Active as High School Coach: 5
- Years Active as Collegiate Assistant: 10
- Years Active as Collegiate Head Coach: 18
- Career Wins: 903 wins
- Career Losses: 264 losses
- Tournament Record: 79-27
- Teams: Charles D. Owen High School, North Carolina, Kansas
Relevant Websites:
Net Worth
Roy Williams estimated net worth is $12 million. He earned a majority of this from coaching the top college programs of Kansas and UNC. While his exact contract with Kansas is unknown to the public, it has been reported that he was being paid $2 million per season during his last years at North Carolina. Although Williams retired after the 2021 season, his contract would have kept him the coach at UNC until 2028.
Career
Roy Williams was an American collegiate men's basketball coach, most known for coaching the University of North Carolina. Williams is regarded as one of the best and most successful coaches of his era. Williams also coached at the University of Kansas, where he dominated inside the Big Eight and BIG 12. Prior to his 15 seasons at Kansas, Williams was an assistant coach under the legendary Dean Smith at UNC. Under Smith, Williams coached the talents of all-time greats such as Michael Jordan and James Worthy. Williams has the most wins in UNC history at 903. Williams is in elite company as one of the few coaches to ever win three national championships.
Titles and Awards
Below are the most notable titles and awards achieved by Roy Williams during his coaching career:
Titles
- Three-time NCAA Division I Tournament Champion (2005, 2009, 2017)
- Nine-time NCAA Division I Tournament Final Four
- Nine-time ACC Regular Season Champion
- Three-time ACC Tournament Champion
- Four-time BIG 12 Regular Season Champion
- Three-time BIG 12 Tournament Champion
- Five-time Big Eight Regular Season Champion
- Big Eight Tournament Champion (1992)
- Bronze Medal in 2004 Athens (Assistant for USA Basketball)
- Gold Medal in 2003 San Juan (Assistant for USA Basketball)
Awards
- 2019 USA Today Sports National Coach of the Year
- Two-time AP Coach of the Year (1992, 2006)
- Two-time Henry Iba Award Winner (1990, 2006)
- 1997 Naismith College Coach of the Year
- Two-time ACC Coach of the Year (2006, 2011)
- 2006 Adolph Rupp Cup Winner
- 2003 John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award Winner
- Three-time BIG 12 Coach of the Year (1997, 2002, 2003)
- Four-time Big Eight Coach of the Year (1990, 1992, 1995, 1996)
- 2006 College Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2007 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
Personal Life
Roy Williams grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, where he grew up with his mother and father. He attended T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, where he was a four-year varsity athlete in both baseball and basketball. For his basketball efforts he was named all-county and all-conference in his junior and senior seasons. Williams attended the University of North Carolina, and played for the freshman basketball team. During his sophomore season, Williams asked legendary coach Dean Smith if he could attend practices to take notes on his coaching. He went on to keep stats for UNC and then help coach Smith run his summer basketball camp. Williams and his wife Wanda have two children, Scott and Kimberly. The couple also have three grandchildren.
Fun Facts
- Williams coached all-time greats such as Michael Jordan and James Worthy under Dean Smith
- Williams has the most wins as a coach in UNC history
- Williams cites his high school coach, Buddy Baldwin as one of his biggest influences
- During his sophomore season Williams asked Dean Smith if he could attend practices to take notes on his coaching
- Williams and his wife, Wanda, have three grandchildren
- Williams and his wife both attended UNC
- Scott Williams, Roy’s son, played basketball at UNC
FAQ
What team does Roy Williams coach?
Roy Williams is currently retired, but is most known for coaching the UNC Tar Heels men’s basketball team from 2003-2021. He has the most wins of any coach in program history, and captured three National Championships. Prior to coaching UNC, Willliams coached the Kansas Jayhawks from 1988-2003. Williams also served as an assistant coach on the UNC coaching staff from 1978-1988 and for Team USA Basketball from 2003-2004.
Who did Roy Williams coach at UNC?
Roy Williams coached numerous NBA players at UNC, as he helped build the program into a national powerhouse. As a head coach Williams coached Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Harrison Barnes, Raymond Felton, Cameron Johnson, Nassir Little, Cole Anthony, and Reggie Bullock. As an assistant under Dean Smith, Williams coached Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Brad Daughtery.
Where did Roy Williams attend college?
Roy Williams went to the University of North Carolina. Williams played basketball on the freshman team, and soon generated a relationship with legendary coach Dean Smith. After coaching at a high school for five years, Williams joined the UNC staff as an assistant.