When the news that Roy Williams was staying put as Kansas University’s basketball coach reached Leavenworth, the Simien household erupted.
“We’re just ecstatic,” said Wayne Simien Sr., whose son, Wayne Jr., has committed to play at KU, starting with the 2001-02 season. “My wife couldn’t have screamed any louder.”
Wayne Simien Jr., a 6-foot-8 forward, led Leavenworth High to the Class 6A state title as a junior in March before committing to KU in April. The Pioneer senior-to-be is at a Nike camp in Indianapolis and was unavailable for comment.
“He can call us but we can’t call him,” said his father, eager to pass along the news.
Williams’ announcement ended an anxiety-filled week for the Simiens.
“It was hard for my wife and I to get our work done,” Wayne Simien Sr. said. “People would ask us, ‘What do we think and what is Wayne is going to do?’ We’re so glad it’s over.”
While reports surfaced that Williams was bound for his alma mater, North Carolina, the elder Simien doubted that Williams would get the chance to coach his son.
“I thought he was going to leave,” Simien Sr. said. “My wife said she wasn’t going to believe it until we heard out of mouth.”
It was from Williams’ mouth that Chris Zerbe, who will be a walk-on for the Jayhawks this fall, first heard the news.
“I rode over with (former Jayhawk and current KU administrative assistant) Jerod Haase and those guys,” Zerbe said. “They didn’t let me in on it. When I heard it for the first time was when he announced it. But on the way over in the car I could tell by the way they were acting he was probably going to stay.”
Zerbe, an Andover High and Hutchinson CC product, was thrilled with Williams’ decision.
“I’m happy as can be,” Zerbe said. “It was my gut feeling the whole time that he was going to stay. I was hearing different things here and there that he might be leaving. But when I saw that people were coming (to the press conference) and that it was at the football stadium, I knew he was staying.
“I’m just happy as can be and can’t wait for practice to start.”
Was Zerbe worried Williams was going to announce he was leaving?
“Nope,” Zerbe said. “I was standing right outside with (former KU players) Jacque Vaughn, Ryan Robertson and Nick Bradford when he was talking with those guys. The way he was with those guys I knew he was staying.
“His players mean a lot to him and it’s an honor to be one of his players for the next few years.”
Like Zerbe, the Simiens can’t wait to be a part of Williams’ program.
“We’ve known him fairly close for the last six years,” Simien Sr. said. “We’ve always been impressed with his integrity and honesty.”
