Excerpts from Roy Williams’ Friday, July 8, 1988, press conferences at both the Holidome and Allen Fieldhouse…
Williams on his physical condition. He developed a nasty ear infection traveling to Bermuda for a vacation that was to run from Tuesday through Saturday:
“One of the first things I had to do in Kansas was go to the doctor. He told me to drink a lot of liquids. I’m about all Seven-Upped out. It was the first time in four years my wife and I were able to get away without kids, mine or the basketball players. I don’t feel great, but sometimes you have to suck it up and play the game, right?”
Last spring, Williams was offered a job at George Mason. In the past, he’s been offered posts at Tennessee-Chatannoga and Furman:
“Coach (Dean, N.C.) Smith said there was a possibility we’d get something better. But I did not hold out for Kansas. I never operate on a timetable.”
Here’s Williams’ quickie resume:
“I graduated from North Carolina in ’72. I got my masters in ’73. I was probably the only student who played my freshman year, then sat in the stands and watched (varsity) practice. I still have notes from practice in 1970. Right away, coach Smith knew I wanted to be a coach.
“I worked coach Smith’s camp five summers. Fortunately for me, they had no part-time assistant. One was added in 1979. Lucky for me, I was the guy he asked. He knew me from working in camp and playing.
“I was a high school coach in the western part of the state. Coach Smith offered me the part-time job and I left. Like coach Smith says, the part-time assistant is the full-time job with part-time pay. I did it for eight years.” He’s been full-time the past two seasons.
“Out of 295 Div. I schools, 200 of ’em (assistants) would trade their jobs to be part-time at North Carolina.”
On how long he wants to coach here:
“Heck, I expect to be here the rest of my days.”
On recruiting:
“Right now, I’d say my goal is the high school route, though I understand of the junior college players, some can make the transition. I’m not ruling them out.”
He will not put North Carolina on KU’s schedule.
“I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid. I hope we eventually play ’cause that means we’d be in the tournament.”
On how he hopes to be judged:
“I think if you give a guy, say, four years, you have a chance to judge two things — how successful he is as a coach and how many student athletes are obtaining degrees. But hey, there’s never been a fan to run down after a big loss and say, ‘Coach, all of your guys are graduating.’ But that’s important to people at Kansas, North Carolina and Roy Williams.”
On assistants: “I have some people in mind, but I’m not ready to announce anything yet.”
