Say this about NBA general managers: They are persistent.
Two more NBA teams tried to steal away Kansas’ Roy Williams in recent months. Two teams failed, meaning the NBA is 0-for-12 in its contacts with Williams the past four years.
“Both were very serious,” Williams said, referring to the Charlotte Hornets and an unnamed club, believed to be the Dallas Mavericks. “I told both of them I didn’t have any interest. One was over with in one phone call. One took two phone calls.
The Hornets figured Williams might want to return to his roots.
“They thought it might be something special, a going back home kind of thing,” said Williams, who was born and raised in North Carolina and attended college in Chapel Hill.
“We had an open discussion seeing if I had any interest in sitting down and talking with them. I told them ‘No.” The other went a little bit further than that. I told them, ‘No,’ as well.”
A college team inquired about Williams’ availability last spring.
“I could have been head coach at North Carolina State,” Williams said, confirming a rumor. “I happen to like where I am.”
So Williams has turned down the state of North Carolina twice. The big question on KU fans’ minds is what will he do when his alma mater, North Carolina, comes calling.
Long-time Carolina head coach Dean Smith recently squelched rumors he would soon retire. It had been speculated Smith did not want to pass Adolph Rupp as the all-time winningest coach in college basketball.
Smith, who needs 25 wins to pass Rupp, said he’ll coach as long as he remains excited about working with young players. He says he’s as excited beginning his 36th season at UNC as he was before his first.
“To be honest, I hoped it (rumors) would all slow down when coach (Smith) said he would not retire just because he was about to break that record,” Williams said. “I really hope he’ll coach another six to eight years.
“I really think at certain times, things get slow and people talk about it (Williams heading to UNC) because there nothing else to talk about.”
Williams doesn’t like to hear strangers speculate about his future at Kansas.
“I think I’ve shown loyalty to KU,” said Williams, set to begin his ninth season here. “I don’t talk to other people about jobs and come back and try to negotiate (a new contract) or anything like that. I’m very open and up front when NBA teams call. I tell them I love what I’m doing.
“I haven’t had any romances with any teams and don’t plan on it. I guess I wish people would see my actions and let that speak of what’s going on instead of listening to people speculate about last year, next year or 10 years down the line.
“What’s the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words?’ I try to show them with my actions how I feel about this place.”
Williams’ actions have spoken volumes about the man. He has refused to copy egomaniacs in his profession who hold their schools and fans hostage while they publicly pursue pro jobs. His contacts with other temas have been kept out of the newspapers and off ESPN.
KU fans might copy their coach, show some class, and stop speculating about Carolina. That’s in the future, possibly way down the line. Why not enjoy the present?
