End of an era

By Gary Bedore     Apr 18, 2003

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Former Kansas University men's basketball coach Roy Williams pauses during tear-filled remarks at the annual awards ceremony for the KU men's basketball team. Player Jeff Hawkins, right, joined his teammates in applauding their former coach's remarks Thursday at the Lied Center.

Roy Williams stood before the Jayhawk faithful one last time Thursday night.

The former Kansas University basketball coach was met with a spattering of boos but heard mostly cheers from the 1,800 fans who attended Kansas University’s annual basketball awards celebration.

Williams — who flew Monday to Chapel Hill to accept the head coaching job at his alma mater, North Carolina — received standing ovations both before and after addressing the throng.

He also heard the word “traitor” hurled at him from a heckler in the upper deck, which proved to be either the highlight or lowlight of an emotional 2-1/2 hour ceremony.

“You’ve heard me say Senior Day is the most emotional day of the year for me,” Williams said after the awards celebration. “I felt like tonight I went through 15 Senior Days.”

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Aaron Miles celebrates with Michael Lee as Keith Langford and Wayne Simien look on.

He entered the arena with his head held high after 20 former Jayhawk players greeted their coach as he exited the team bus and walked toward the building.

“Folks, to have the players do that for me, even some players like David Johanning who didn’t play all that much, it meant a lot,” Williams said.

There had been speculation about the sort of reception Williams would receive just three days after telling his 2002-2003 team and the world he was leaving Kansas to become head coach of the Tar Heels.

“I was sort of chicken,” Williams said. “When it was time to enter the building, I wanted to walk in the middle of the players. I knew they wouldn’t boo the players.

“But I ended up being the last one in anyway. To hear those people support those kids like they did … it just again shows what a special place this is.”

Night ‘not about me’

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich are congratulated as they go to the front to recieve their senior awards.

About 40 minutes into the program, Williams gave a five-minute speech.

“I want to emphasize this night is not about me. It’s about the 2002-03 Kansas basketball team,” he said. “I will admit this is difficult. The easy way out would have been not to come. I would never do that to these players. That would not show them the respect I think they deserve.”

As the applause died down and Williams was departing the podium, a fan shouted “traitor!”

Dave Collison, father of KU senior Nick Collison, immediately stood and screamed, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

Williams appreciated the support.

“Before the ceremony, when I told Judy Collison I was a little nervous about what might happen tonight, she said, ‘Coach, we’ve got your back,'” Williams said. “Needless to say it meant a lot to me.”

Dave Collison, a former high school coach from Iowa Falls, Iowa, said he couldn’t understand the attacks on Williams.

“I think it’s ridiculous anybody would be critical of coach Williams, considering what he’s done for this school for 15 years,” Collison said. “I think it’s selfish of somebody to think of their own feelings and use this as a personal forum instead of thinking of those players’ feelings.”

Player backing

The players — some of whom had expressed anger toward Williams after being told he was leaving them — cheered him after his speech, clapped him on the back and shook his hand.

“To coach Williams, I ain’t gonna lie, I was mad at you the past couple days,” sophomore point guard Aaron Miles said after accepting the Dutch Lonborg free-throw shooting award. “But everybody’s got dreams and goals and going to North Carolina is your dream. It’s unfortunate you will not be a part of this special program anymore.”

After receiving the Clyde Lovellette most improved player award, sophomore shooting guard Michael Lee said, “Coach Williams, I love you.”

Wayne Simien, who was bitterly angry earlier in the week, softened his stance.

“I want to thank coach Williams,” Simien said after winning the Dick Harp field goal shooting percentage award.

“Try to understand coach is following his dream,” Simien told the fans. “I feel like I’ve played for coach Williams since I was a snot-nosed little kid in my (Leavenworth) driveway. I wish you the best of luck coach and we’re going to make it through this.”

Criticism stings

Williams signed autographs for 10 minutes after the awards ceremony, then met the media.

“I will not lie. Some of the criticism has hurt, but I understand it,” he said.

“I do not think I did anything immoral. I don’t think I did anything sinful. Basically I changed jobs. I left a job that was my life. In some ways, last time I didn’t go to North Carolina, I felt I was losing the most because of my family (being upset) and my roots. This time I did go and think I’m losing the most again because of what Kansas and Jayhawk basketball did for me is unbelievable.”

And he admitted that he came close to skipping the private banquet and public awards celebration, but was glad he decided to show up.

“I asked Chancellor (Robert) Hemenway if I could come after I told him my decision to take the job at North Carolina and I am grateful he gave me permission,” Williams said. “There seemed to be a little storm building that it wasn’t the best idea, but not coming would have been the easy way out. I had to come.”

The bottom line?

“Folks, they are going to get a better coach and a coach who will love these young men,” Williams said of his successor. “They will get one who will love them and care for them, but not any more than I did.”

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