Congratulations to Roy Williams for another elite accomplishment.

The impressive victory over Syracuse was not only a sign that the Tar Heels are returning to their Maui-like level of play at precisely the right time, it came at home before an adoring crowd and marked Williams’ 800th college coaching victory. Among his many achievements in 29 seasons at KU and UNC is that Ol’ Roy has never missed a game on the bench, despite battling many maladies.

Williams accepted the Kansas job in the summer of 1988, just before his 38th birthday, and he reached 800 wins in fewer seasons than any other coach in history. Imagine if Williams had taken one of the earlier head jobs he was offered and began closer to Dean Smith, at age 31, or Mike Krzyzewski, the all-time victory leader who was coaching at Army in his late 20s?

If Williams had stayed at Kansas, he might have reached this magical number even sooner, based on his record at Lawrence versus Chapel Hill, which proves coaching in the ACC is a lot harder than in the old Big Eight or current Big 12. Ironically, Matt Doherty was at the Syracuse game, and it was Doherty’s unsuccessful tenure here that finally brought the basketball Hall of Famer back to UNC in 2003.

In his post-game remarks to the crowd, Williams said he has loved coaching all of his kids at both schools and has tried to be a good member of the community. He certainly has. Besides his well-known charitable contributions, Williams graciously says yes to local events he can make, such as coming after his radio show to pick the grand prize winner of WCHL’s annual sweepstakes that sends a group to somewhere his team plays each November or December.

You can argue with his strategy or claim he is too stubborn to change his coaching philosophies. But these are the facts: He has won nearly 80 percent of his games, including reaching eight Final Fours and winning two national championships. And he has been a loyal servant of the University of North Carolina in the mold of his mentor, Smith. That is not debatable. He loves us and we should love him in return. Undoubtedly, most of us do.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Fork In The Road
Art Chansky looks back at the head coaching butterfly effect caused by UNC football's upset win against No. 4 Miami at Kenan Stadium in 2004.
Chansky's Notebook: 'No. 3, Get in the Game'
Of the 23 football games Notre Dame and Carolina have played over the years, there is nothing that matches 1975, when an unknown quarterback came off the bench to save the Irish from what would have been an embarrassing upset in Kenan Stadium. I was covering for the Durham Morning Herald and wanted to watch […]
Chansky's Notebook: Hurricane Happiness
With the potential for rain Saturday when UNC hosts No. 3 Notre Dame, Art Chansky remembers a rain-aided upset win for the Tar Heels.
Chansky's Notebook: Snap Decisions
Art Chansky says it may be time for Bill Belichick and UNC to make a change at the quarterback position following Saturday's loss at Clemson.
Chansky's Notebook: Maye's Mission
With an upgraded receiver room and a massive target on his back, Drake Maye is poised for a hugely important 2026 campaign.
Chansky's Notebook: Fool Me Once...
Little Kool-Aid will be consumed by Carolina fans before the noon kickoff from Dublin. Fool me once but not again. It is a great trip to Ireland for the Tar Heels fans who bought the plane tickets and hotel rooms to tour the Emerald Isle and see if their team is any better than Bill […]
Chansky's Notebook: Getting Filthy Rich-er
There are seven teams with $40 million plus rosters and five others just behind the tally from college football as the 2026 season begins. The SEC leads payrolls (LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee), with four from the Big Ten (Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and USC), one from the ACC (Miami) and […]
Chansky's Notebook: Power to the People!
Wednesday's announcement of a two-year, two-game series between UNC and NC State in Greensboro sent a clear message.
Chansky's Notebook: The Five Stages
Chapelboro's Michael Koh breaks down the stunning news of Seth Trimble's commitment to Louisville via the transfer portal.
Chansky's Notebook: Carolina Conundrum
There is no question Mike Lombardi will lose his job as football general manager and leave Chapel Hill, writes Art Chansky.
›