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WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2003
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Roy's choice can inspire others to go with dreams
Dear Coach Williams.
We've met only briefly, and I know that you're probably in Chapel Hill right now, so you can't read this. Either way, these are just some things that need to be said.
I just saw the video of you tearfully addressing the local media, and all but giving away the fact that you're headed to North Carolina.
I thought I felt a punch in the stomach when Kirk Hinrich's last-second three-pointer floated past the hoop a week ago. However, when I saw that tear-filled address to the media, I truly knew the feeling. There's no way to live down the loss of Roy Williams.
See, the history of Kansas basketball has been hammered into my head in the past three years, but from what I do know, Kansas basketball is Roy Williams. Wait, Kansas is Roy Williams.
As we see how hard it appeared for you to move away from your job as Kansas men's basketball coach,we can understand even more about how hard it was to turn down your mentor, Dean Smith, three years ago.
Roy, no matter how much you have embodied in your 15 years as coach, the lesson you have taught me is invaluable.
Loyalty is the most important moral value a human can have. You are always taught to be loyal to family, and North Carolina is your family, no matter what you have accomplished in Lawrence.
I have never learned a moral lesson from any of my sports heroes, no matter how fascinated I was with them. You, however, have taught me that no matter how good of a situation you have found yourself in, and even when it seems that life can't get any better, you should always strive to fulfill your dreams.
Probably not.
Your dream was to be the basketball coach at North Carolina, and you've realized your dream.
Will I realize my dream of suiting up for an NBA game?
Most likely never.
Will I realize my dream of teeing off some golf balls at home plate of Wrigley Field?
Will I realize my dream of covering the Chicago Bulls for the Chicago SunTimes?
Who knows, it could be a reality someday. My faith in this dream has now been boosted.
Either way, Roy, you have taught me to dream, and that dreams can always come true.
Brian Cassella/The Daily Tar Heel
No matter who is coach next year, I will never forget the Texas game my freshman year when you threw your jacket while arguing a call. I will never forget your infamous expletive dropped after last Monday's game. Most importantly, I will never forget the class you carried yourself with, no matter how much adversity you faced.
In an age where sports, even at the collegiate level, have become a business, you have shown me that there is still something pure that can be treasured. In all of my years idolizing athletes for what they've done on the field, it took you announcing your departure from Kansas to realize that you are the first true sports icon I have ever known. It's something that I have never said to a man besides my father, but Roy Williams, thanks for the memories and I love you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Greene
Greene is a Vernon Hills, Ill., junior in journalism
Roy Williams, former Kansas men's basketball coach, addresses the audience at a press conference yesterday in Chapel Hill, N.C. Williams announced his acceptance of the vacant coaching position at North Carolina. At 11 a.m.today, Drue Jennings, interim athletics director at Kansas will hold a press conference to discuss the search for a new men's basketball coach.
University reacts
Students respond to Williams' departure with anger, dismay
By Henry C. Jackson
cjackson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
He's not staying. And it hurts.
Word of Roy Williams' departure for North Carolina hit hard and fast yesterday afternoon. Reactions ranged from well wishes to the departing Williams to anger and bemusement.
Trey Allen, Wichita freshman, had just gotten back from playing basketball at Robinson Center when he heard the news.
"I could feel that something probably happened when I got back," Allen said. "There were some people outside of Templin and you could just tell."
Maggie Richter, St. Louis freshman was walking home from class when she
The mood on campus has taken a sharp turn in the last few days. Jubilation from Kansas' tournament turned first into disappointment at a championship game loss to Syracuse and now into outright bitterness after the loss of Kansas' talisman coach.
"I'm shocked and upset," said Kadi Kerr, Prairie Village junior. "It's really disappointing."
learned that Williams would be leaving for North Carolina.
"After what he said after the final game, I'm really surprised," she said, alluding to Williams' much publicized post-game comments to CBS reporter Bonnie Bernstein.
Many students feared Williams' departure would lead to a down period for Kansas basketball. Coupled with the loss of senior duo Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich to the NBA, Williams' departure will cause immediate problems next year. Dan Gwartney, Kansas City, Kan., junior said.
"I think it's going to be really bad for the team," he said. "We're basically losing the main guys. It's going to have a serious effect on morale."
Other students, such as Collins Wade, Monroe, La., junior, said Williams' departure wouldn't hamper the Jayhawks' future.
"It's not like KU basketball is going down the drain." Wade said. "If he was really dedicated, he would have stayed here."
Patrons at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Massachusetts St., watched Williams' North Carolina press conference live on
the big screen. As Williams addressed the media, patrons went silent. When the press conference ended, most lamented Williams' departure.
"Roy Williams brought pride and stature to the Kansas program and to the Big 12 in general," said Stacey Witter, a visiting Oklahoma City, Okla., native and Sooner fan. "We've been proud of that."
Witter said he was worried that the program would not be as successful as it was after Larry Brown left following the 1988 season.
"This is a different instance." he said. "They didn't win a national championship. They are losing two stars. Quite frankly, they need a power coach."
Others watching Williams' press conference on the big screen weren't as worried about Kansas basketball's future.
"I feel like the program has had a lot of tradition before Roy came along," Joe Caldwell, Lawrence resident, said. "It's big enough to survive his leaving."
Jesse Newell contributed to this story.
— Edited by Erin Chapman
Heard on the Court
Compiled by Henry C. Jackson
Jayhawks sound off about coach Roy Williams' departure
"I gave my right arm for him, literally. I gave my right arm for that man." Wayne Simien Sophomore forward
"Hell yeah, I'm surprised.I didn't come here for this shit." Keith Langford
Keith Langford Sophomore guard
"The guy's had a dream his whole life, and now he's got a chance to realize it. You can't fault him for that."
Brett Olson Senior forward
"I'm sure you can imagine it was not a good time in there."
Stephen Vinson Freshman guard
"It's sad for the program and the players who are here. It's tough for them."
Jeff Boschee class of 2002
"I don't care, we're going to win the national championship anyway."
Aaron Miles Sophomore guard
Envisioning the future of KU basketball
Hemenway to move fast to discover replacement; several coaches on list
By Kevin Flaherty
kflaherty@kansan.com
kansas staff writer
As Roy Williams prepared for his speech at the North Carolina press conference last night, Chancellor Robert Hemenway started preparing the basketball program for life without Williams.
Hemenway said in a prepared statement that it was important to move on with preparations.
"KU has a tradition second to none in college basketball." Hemenway said. "We intend to talk to the very best coaches in the country about this opportunity, and we will make a decision quickly."
At 11 a.m. Drue Jennings, interim athletics director, will hold a press conference to talk about the search for a coach.
The search will be led by Jennings with assistance from Hemenway and senior athletics department administrators.
Andy Katz, reporter for ESPN, speculated that several coaches mentioned over the last few days include Bill Self, Illinois, Mark Few, Gonzaga, Tom Crean, Marquette, and Mark Turgeon, Wichita State. Self was an assistant coach on Kansas'
Self
Few
1985-1986 Final Four team under Larry Brown.
Self did not return phone calls last night.
Another coach with Kansas blood, John Calipari, removed himself from job rumors.
Calipari said he was happy at Memphis.
"I came to the University of Memphis to rebuild a winning basketball program, and it is my intention to stay here until we get the job done," he said.
Calipari was a Kansas assistant coach under Brown from 1982-1985.
Tubby Smith, Kentucky coach, said he was happy where he was and did not wish to leave.
Crean
Williams said at the press conference that he wanted to
Turgeon
Hemenway said moving quickly was in the best interest of the program to keep players.
bring his assistant coaches to North Carolina provided none of them took the Kansas coaching job.
If they don't get the job, the new Kansas coach will have to supply a new staff.
"Our foremost concern right now are the players, both the ones returning and the ones joining the team next season," Hemenway said.
Keith Langford, guard, said he was caught off guard by the change.
"Hell yeah, I'm surprised. I didn't come here for this shit," Langford said. "My future is uncertain. They're searching for a new coach. I don't know what my future is."
Wayne Simien, forward, said he did not like the decision.
"I gave my right arm for him, literally. I gave my right arm for that man," Simien said before saying that he would return. "Yeah man, I'm back."
Kansas has a top-five recruiting class featuring McDonald's All-Americans David Padgett and J.R. Giddens. None of the four recruits have said whether they would leave.
Aaron Miles said the change would not affect the team's goals.
"I don't care, we're going to win the national championship anyway," Miles said.
Edited by Jason Elliott
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