Williams was granted parking space

By Gary Bedore     Jul 1, 2000

Earl Richardson/J-W Photo
Kansas guard Kenny Gregory listens during coach Roy Williams' press conference Friday night.

Roy Williams has never asked for a raise in his 12 years at Kansas.

He’s made just one, simple request in his tenure as Jayhawk men’s basketball coach.

Let athletics director Bob Frederick explain:

“The year after we lost in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, I said, ‘Coach, is there anything we can do for you? That includes anything a lifetime contract, a new house, back up a Brink’s Truck to your driveway?’ He said, ‘I don’t think there is anything.’ He said, ‘There is one thing: ‘Can I have a reserved parking space?’

“I said, ‘Yeah, I think we can work it out. I called Chancellor Hemenway and said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ I told him the story. It says a lot about Roy Williams.”

‘I’d Last Two Minutes ‘: Frederick remembers Williams being intrigued by a job offer only once. The Los Angeles Lakers called about an opening several years ago, during a period Williams was bothered by some problems in recruiting.

Williams did not interview for that job, accepting just two phone calls from Los Angeles.

Frederick said shortly after that opening filled he and Williams went to an NBA game in which Dennis Rodman acted up, Williams indicating, “I’d last two minutes in that league.”

“After that I never worried about the NBA again,” Frederick said.

Me, Myself and I: Williams warned the public to not believe “inside sources” quoted by the media.

“There are no sources,” Williams said, indicating when he makes a final decision he’ll inform his players, officials from KU and North Carolina, then the media.

He said even some of his relatives will have no idea of his final destination.

“It’s Roy Williams and that’s it,” he said of sources. “Some don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. Everything I have told you is the truth,” he added, noting he had yet to be offered the UNC job.

Internet Incorrect: Frederick denied internet reports he had started calling coaches about a possible KU opening. “Absolutely not,” he said. “Our effort has been trying to visit with coach Williams.”

On the Links: Williams went golfing Friday.

“Today I said jokingly I wasn’t going to Disneyland, I was going to Alvamar. I played 18. Coach Allen (Terry, KU football coach) is not here, so I can say I beat him for $20. I three-putted the last hole and shot 78. It bothered me on the golf course. That’s where I usually escape. It was a little more difficult today.”

Williams on Bill Guthridge: “Bill Guthridge leaving the University of North Carolina and the coaching profession brings a sadness to me because of what we are losing a great coach and a great person. At the same time, though, I am ecstatic for him. He is happy and he has been outstanding as head coach at North Carolina for these three years. I offer my congratulations to him for the major role he played in North Carolina’s basketball success for such a long period. He is one of my mentors. He is my friend, one of my idols. I played for him and coached with him and he is one of the best. I want to thank him and say, ‘Enjoy yourself.'”

Stallings to be a candidate?: Vanderbilt athletics director Todd Turner said Friday he is prepared for Kansas to pursue Vandy coach Kevin Stallings if Williams takes the North Carolina job. “It’s a natural fit for Kevin. My job is to convince Kevin Vanderbilt can be a Kansas,” Turner told a Nashville reporter. Stallings is a former Roy Williams assistant.

Notre Dame coach Matt Doherty said it to the South Bend Tribune Friday night: “I love Notre Dame. Notre Dame has been great to me. With the arrival of Kevin White (new athletics director) things are going to get even better. I love my players.”

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