Is UNC Basketball head coach Roy Williams ready to hang it up after a disappointing season? Not so fast says one ESPN analyst
It’s safe to say that this 2019-20 college basketball season has taken its toll on coaches, players and even fans of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
After a solid start, UNC stumbled in December and early January before being able to put together a small win streak. But going into this weekend’s matchup with Louisville on the road, the Tar Heels are on a six-game losing streak including four of those being a one-possession game.
The Tar Heels have had their fair-share of close losses as well, which hurt. One has to wonder where the Tar Heels would be at if they were able to pull out some of those close games.
With UNC likely missing out on the NCAA Tournament barring a miracle run in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, is Roy Williams’ future with the program in jeopardy? It’s a question we hate asking but with the struggles of this season, is Williams ready to hang it up?
That’s the question that ESPN college basketball reporter Jay Bilas addressed on TV Tuesday as he offered his take on the situation. Bilas, A Duke grad and former player, doesn’t think the Williams era is over just yet which should be good news for UNC fans. Here is what Bilas said via 247 Sports:
"“No, not at all,” Bilas said. “This has certainly been a difficult season for Roy Williams. They’ve had a lot of injuries that have disrupted their continuity, and it’s certainly not a vintage North Carolina team no matter what. But they’ve lost a ton of close games. This is likely to be Roy Williams’ first-ever losing season as a coach. First ever. He’s one of the best coaches that’s ever done this, and next year he’s got four McDonald’s All-Americans coming in. The talent level is going to shoot up. I think when his talent level shoots up, you’ll see that the results have been a complete about face.“They were a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year. I think they’ll be a top-10 team again next year. This is a blip on the radar that has been unpleasant those in light blue, but one thing. The season’s not over yet and Roy Williams hasn’t stopped fighting yet. He is certainly not done. No way.”"
That’s a promising answer from Bilas, a guy who knows the college game very well. It’s hard to believe that Williams is close to retiring anytime soon. He hasn’t experienced many seasons like this, with 2010 coming the closest.
It’s been hard for everyone involved with the program but with a really good 2020 recruiting class coming in, there are brighter days ahead for UNC.
For more on the UNC Basketball program and Roy Williams, please check back with Keeping It Heel.