UNC Basketball: ESPN’s Jay Bilas likens Roy Williams to Dean Smith

Former Duke Blue Devil and current ESPN analyst Jay Bilas comments on the retirement of UNC basketball head coach Roy Williams

The unexpected retirement of North Carolina’s Roy Williams sent shockwaves through the college basketball world on Thursday. As soon as the news broke, current and former players began to send their congratulations and well-wishes to Williams, some seemingly still in shock about the turn of events, while others simply expressed their undying gratitude to the Hall-of-Fame head coach.

Before long, other members of the college basketball community began to chime in on the three-time national title-winning coach’s decision to walk away from the game. Among them were coaches, basketball programs and rival conferences that Williams’ teams routinely beat up on over the past three decades. Even entities from other sports that Williams impacted throughout his 48 years in the profession joined in on the celebration of his brilliant career in coaching.

But there were maybe none that had a greater compliment to pay than that of former Blue Devil and current ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who likened the newly-retired Williams to one of the most iconic, legendary and beloved coaches — and human beings — to ever live.

"“. . . This may be blasphemy to some, but I believe Roy Williams is the coaching equal to Dean Smith, both as a coach and a person,” Bilas writes. “That is not a slight to Coach Smith, whom I revere, but a compliment to Williams, whom I respect and admire as much as Coach Smith. That North Carolina has had two such all-time greats and icons at the helm is nothing short of amazing.”"

As Bilas mentioned, comparing Smith to Williams — or anyone, for that matter — may be blasphemy to some. But I, for one, couldn’t agree more with Bilas. Williams is an equal to Smith, both on and off the court.

For nearly 55 years, UNC fans got to watch their team coached by two of the absolute greatest to ever hang a whistle around their neck. They got to watch two of the greatest teachers and mentors and men lead their team to 1,364 victories, 16 Final Four appearances and five national titles. But more important than the wins and the trophies and the allure of their greatness on the hardwood, they did it all with an unparalleled class and dignity matched by few, if any.

Williams, at his final press conference as a head coach on Thursday, practically issued an apology to the University of North Carolina, its players and fans, saying that he had “made mistakes” and was “no longer the right man for the job.” To that I must disagree, as it’s us that owe Williams an apology for not appreciating him enough during the most incredible 18-year stretch in program history.

We all owe you a debt of gratitude, Coach; not the other way around.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the retirement of the great Roy Williams, and everything UNC basketball.