CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? Wearing a dark suit and a bright smile and munching on doughnuts, new North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams mingled with students and faculty Tuesday morning.
Less than 12 hours after his introductory news conference on the team’s practice court, Williams was on campus shaking hands, signing autographs and generally enjoying his first daylight hours as the coach at his alma mater.
“It’s a heck of a day — Carolina blue skies,” Williams said. “It couldn’t be a better situation.”
UNC spokesman Mike McFarland said the event was set up to give Williams an informal chance to get reacquainted with the university community. He did just that in about 20 minutes, one day after he was named to replace Matt Doherty, who resigned under pressure.
In between meeting and greeting, Williams and others nibbled on Krispy Kreme doughnuts which, like the coach, are native to North Carolina.
Williams also took time to sign the hat of a non-faculty member, 9-year-old Andrew Shoemaker of Chapel Hill.
Andrew met Williams by chance with his younger sister, Erin, and mother, Suzanne. They were meeting friends for a play date when they happened upon the group welcoming Williams.
Andrew, who is on spring break, said he couldn’t wait to get Williams’ autograph when he found out the new UNC coach was nearby.
“I want to play here when I go to college,” said Andrew, who didn’t watch the Monday night press conference because it was past his bedtime.
The hat must make it through Little League season first, but after that, Andrew plans to store it.
“I’m going to seal it up in plastic,” he said.
Student leaders also were invited to meet Williams. One of them who got a word with the coach was Matt Tepper, UNC’s student body president. He watched the news conference in his dorm room and said the buzz about Williams’ arrival had enveloped the campus.
“Everyone’s talking about it,” said Tepper. “He’s really going to get the program back on track.”
