North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams has hung up his whistle.
The Tar Heels announced Thursday that the three-time national champion is calling it a career after 33 years as a head coach at the division one level. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Williams finished his career with a record of 903-264.
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
Just like everyone else, I thought this was an April Fool’s joke when I first saw it on Twitter, and I thought it was an extremely weird joke to pull.
Unfortunately, for North Carolina fans, Williams retiring is very real.
Breaking: Roy Williams, who led North Carolina to three NCAA championships, is retiring after 33 seasons, the school announced. pic.twitter.com/hyBJgMCwDR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 1, 2021
As a sports fan, you always feel fortunate to watch great athletes and coaches in their prime. That’s exactly how I describe Williams and the stuff we’ve seen with him for decades in college basketball.
The man was an icon in the sport, and he’ll go down as one of the greatest coaches to ever blow a whistle. After 33 years between Kansas and UNC, he’s riding off into the sunset.
Three titles and the third-most wins in the history of men’s college basketball.
Roy Williams goes out as one of the greats.
(via @GoHeels)pic.twitter.com/U8hBwriw6X
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 1, 2021
I also have to admit that I kind of love the fact his final game as a college coach was a blowout loss to Wisconsin. I’ll always cherish that memory!
Congratulations to Williams on an awesome career, and I hope he enjoys retirement. He’s certainly earned it!