Jay Bilas, Dick Vitale Honor Roy Williams After Surprise Retirement Announcement

Roy Williams is retiring from coaching after more than three decades as the head coach of Kansas and UNC.

Hall of Fame UNC men's basketball coach Roy Williams announced Thursday that he is retiring from coaching. 

The 70-year-old Williams is leaving the sidelines after 33 seasons as a head coach at North Carolina and Kansas. Throughout his more than three decades as a head coach, he amassed one of the greatest careers in coaching history and was the only coach in NCAA history to record 400 wins at two schools.

News of Williams's retirement sparked a wave of acclaim from those across the sports world. 

Incredible career. Thank you for your leadership. https://t.co/2KSaY3gR7d

— Bubba Cunningham (@BubbaUNC) April 1, 2021

Salute to UNC Head Coach Roy Williams on a legendary 48-year career. All respect. Thank you for all you have done for the game, our league and the greatest rivalry in sports. 🤝

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) April 1, 2021

Roy Williams has been one of the great coaches in American Sports. pic.twitter.com/z6WDxpZbmD

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 1, 2021

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.

— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) April 1, 2021

OMG I thought it was April Fools joke but it is TRUE Hall of Famer ROY WILLIAMS @UNC_Basketball is retiring . He’s been so good that he is one of my MT RUSHMORES OF COACHING in my 40 + yrs @espn Bob Knight - Coach K - Dean Smith - ROY WILLIAMS / Thanks for ALL the memories !

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 1, 2021

What a coaching career Roy Williams has had. My mom always thought the coolest thing I ever did in my career was to interview her Coach Roy. https://t.co/4vkJbNpxRU

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) April 1, 2021

Thank you Coach Roy Williams for leading @UNC_basketball with such passion, honor and integrity and for your support of scholarships for student-athletes, Carolina Covenant Scholars and #UNC Chancellor’s Science Scholars. You will inspire us and lead today and beyond. pic.twitter.com/zIBDokJZ3F

— Kevin Guskiewicz (@KevinGuskiewicz) April 1, 2021

Since Roy Williams returned to North Carolina, the program leads (plus ties) the country in:

NCAA Tournament wins (45)
Final Fours (5)
National title games (4)
National Championships (3)

He guided the best program in the country over the last 18 seasons.

Well earned retirement

— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) April 1, 2021

Congratulations to Coach Roy Williams on a remarkable career, a tremendous coach but far better person. pic.twitter.com/7kEcssvne3

— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) April 1, 2021

For More Coverage of Roy Williams's retirement, visit All Tar Heels