C.B. McGrath, local fans react to Roy Williams retirement

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hall of Fame basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring, making it official during a press conference Thursday.

The surprise announcement sent shockwaves through Tarheel Country, with many hoping it was an April Fool’s Day joke. However, Williams wasn’t laughing.

“15 years at Kansas I thought I was the right man, and this time at North Carolina I thought I was the right man,” he said during the press conference. “I no longer feel that I am the right man for the job.”

Former UNCW men’s basketball coach C.B. McGrath spent 23 years with Williams, first as a player, then working under him as an assistant coach. He says he got emotional hearing Williams doubt himself.

“Ever since I’ve known him he’s been an unbelievable coach, unbelievable mentor,” McGrath said. “His success speaks for itself, but he’s always been hard on himself and that’s why I think he’s been so successful, that’s one of the many reasons why.”

Williams acknowledged McGrath during the press conference, along with other notable figures throughout his career. McGrath says he got a chance to speak with him afterwards.

“I told him I loved him and he needs to not beat himself up over this, and he’s done a good job,” McGrath said. “I just said ‘you’ve done good coach.'”

Fans in Wilmington say it won’t be quite the same without Coach Williams on the sidelines.

“The passion he had for it and the effort he put into it, I mean that’s Carolina basketball,” said UNC alumnus Travis Faircloth.

However they’re grateful for the years Williams gave, and are looking forward to the future.

“It’s a sad day in Tar Heel country but it’s also a bittersweet day that hopefully Roy is able to enjoy his retirement and we can find a really good replacement for him,” Faircloth said.

Williams finishes his career, at age 70, as the third-winningest coach in Division 1 history. He won 903 games in a career that included three national championships with the Tar Heels.