Williams dismisses UCLA rumors

By David Mitchell     Mar 20, 2003

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University coach Roy Williams answers questions from the media.

? Roy Williams is still staying.

Williams, who turned down an offer to return to his alma mater as coach of North Carolina in the summer of 2000 and denied any interest in UCLA’s job a few weeks ago, said Wednesday his position on the Bruins’ program hadn’t changed.

“My focus is 100 percent on this basketball team. It’s nothing else,” said Williams, whose second-seeded Jayhawks (25-7) will face 15th-seeded Utah State (24-8) at 8:40 tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ford Center.

Knowing he was on his way out in the midst of a losing season, UCLA coach Steve Lavin offered a list of potential replacements a few weeks ago. Lavin was joking, but KU fans weren’t amused the list included Williams.

Internet and talk-radio speculation eventually forced Williams — who has had success in the fertile recruiting grounds of California — to address the situation at one of his weekly news conferences.

After Williams denied interest in UCLA, the rumor lost steam until Monday, when Lavin finally was fired.

On Tuesday, two boosters told the Los Angeles Times word had been relayed to Williams that UCLA was interested in discussing its opening with him after Kansas concluded the season.

So, was that report true?

“No,” Williams said. “Jesus, guys. We’re in the NCAA Tournament right now.”

While some were taking the rumor seriously, KU’s players and administrators were not.

“He didn’t go to North Carolina,” senior Nick Collison said. “I think it would be a lot more likely for him to go back there. I don’t think he would consider UCLA. He’s had offers like that before and turned them down. We’re not very concerned.”

Athletic director Al Bohl said Kansas was “proud to have one of the top coaches in the country.”

“Roy did address it,” Bohl said. “He doesn’t want to keep addressing it. Roy has addressed it, and I’ve addressed it. Rumors are out there. They’d be envious to have a coach like Roy Williams.”

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