Final Four 2017: Power ranking the coaches
Roy Williams
HC, North Carolina
Roy Williams often gets a bad rap. In fact, there are some out there who believe he’s a constantly under-achieving coach who is often bailed out by the talent on his roster. However, that’s not the case. He’s been one of the best coaches in college basketball since the 1990s, which led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2007.
One of the more interesting stories in the recruiting ranks, Williams got his start as an assistant at North Carolina in 1978 and left for the head coaching job at Kansas in 1988. He had attended North Carolina and played on the freshman team in the late 1960s, but getting the job at Kansas was a huge break.
Despite having to leave his alma mater to coach the Jayhawks, it was one of the most prestigious jobs in the country. With a long history of winning, Williams looked to do the same in Lawrence, and he finished his 15-year career with the Jayhawks with a 418-101 record and four Final Fours — two runner-ups.
The job at North Carolina opened up and he couldn’t say no, taking over in 2003. He has since won two national titles with the Tar Heels and he’s made four Final Fours, including last season when they lost to Villanova at the buzzer in the National Championship.
There’s no doubt about it, Williams is the top remaining coach in the Final Four.