Happy Birthday to you; Happy Birthday to you; Happy Birthday Roy Williams, Happy Birthday to you.”
Here are 50 reasons Roy Williams deserves “Happy Birthday” salutations in his adopted hometown today as he turns 50 yep, the big five-oh.
To his credit, Kansas basketball coach Williams. …
Is still going strong after 50 years on the planet and 12 trips to Missouri’s Hearnes Center.
Doesn’t use dye on his hair, letting nature, Eric Chenowith and Greg Ostertag color his ever-graying locks.
Wins exactly eight out of every 10 games.
Hasn’t had a hint of scandal through 12 seasons at Kansas.
Renewed his KU vows a few weeks ago by “just saying no” to North Carolina.
Signs his autograph legibly.
As a non-imbiber, proves one doesn’t have to drink to have a good time.
Has won 19 straight games against Kansas State.
Has his team involved in various charitable endeavors.
Has less than a handful of technical fouls as a head coach.
Protects his players (remember the time he hustled behind the goal at Oklahoma when students waved fingers in the face of a tumbling Jerod Haase?), yet doesn’t baby them, making sure they talk to the media after wins AND losses.
Doesn’t cuss in public (frickin’ is about as rough as it gets).
Doesn’t complain about his bad back.
Sets the trend in eyewear.
Never says “no comment” to reporters’ questions.
Doesn’t complain about facilities, instead rolls up sleeves and raises money for new locker room and practice facility/volleyball arena on his own.
Is a Chiefs’ fan.
Honored his mother.
Cooks a mean burger on the ledge of his basketball office.
Likes major league baseball, though could use a new favorite team (Yankees).
Treats his elders with respect (how many times has Williams said he’s never referred to Dean Smith by his first name? And was mighty good to Dick Harp and others throughout the years).
Is willing to complain about the sport’s cash cow CBS-TV when the network does stupid things like lengthen time outs in the postseason.
Doesn’t want to tear down tradition-rich, yet aging Allen Fieldhouse and build a new facility.
Likes Coke.
Recruits “good kids.”
We’re halfway through the list folks.
Roy Williams also …
Does not suck up to national TV announcers, in fact needling them whenever possible.
Likes Westerns.
Has a happy family life.
Likes reading the newspaper.
Never whines about the fact he inherited a probation-riddled program.
Stands up for rival coaches when they are on the hot seat, praising the likes of Danny Nee and Tom Asbury and many others when asked if those coaches should be fired.
Takes calls from fans once a week during the season (OK, Roy does get paid for hosting his own radio show; but hey, I still need to come up with 15 more reasons before this column is finished).
Doesn’t treat the home crowd with kid gloves, evidenced by his “big butts” comment last season.
Says just enough about his golf game, not whining when things go bad or brag when things go great.
Doesn’t complain how difficult it really is to recruit athletes to Kansas a school hurt by its location and population.
Isn’t a name dropper.
Hasn’t flirted with other jobs to better his position here or feather his own Jayhawk nest.
Doesn’t complain about basketball carrying an entire athletics department on its back financially.
Likes Krispy Kremes and good barbecue.
Believes in power naps.
Wants grandkids and is good with children of his former players.
Hasn’t lost the energy to recruit after 12 long seasons and some tough, unsavory losses in the recruiting wars.
Is unafraid of flying.
Has nurtured a classy head coaching tree that includes the likes of Matt Doherty, Jerry Green, Steve Robinson, Kevin Stallings and Mark Turgeon.
Looks fashionable on the sideline, but doesn’t dress for a wedding or funeral.
Directed Jayhawks to 62-game homecourt win streak.
Recruited Ryan Robertson, the most quotable Jayhawk in history.
Gives people second chances and some third chances.
Works hard for his money.
Eligible today for the Senior Golf Tour, but isn’t signing up.
P.S. I reserve the right to print some negatives about the ‘ol coach the next time he growls at me, but for now, it’s glad tidings for Roy on cake day. Good luck blowing out all those candles, Coach W.
