Roy Williams 'Retirement Report' Outburst Similar to One in 2003 When Asked About UNC Job
ByFollowing his Tar Heels' statement win over Miami on Saturday, Roy Williams made it clear he did not appreciate a certain "report" he was mulling retirement at season's end.
According to Andrew Carter, of The Charlotte News and Observer, Williams returned to the press conference area to give an additional statement after already concluding his postgame session. He referenced CBS' Doug Gottlieb's pregame comments that the North Carolina coach could retire following this season.
That was among the more entertaining Roy rants. He came back to give it. Presser was over and he remembered he wanted to say it.
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) February 20, 2016
Roy to Gottlieb: "you have no freakin idea what you're talking about. The guy who said that couldn't put his damn pants on the right way ... — Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) February 20, 2016
Williams called Gottlieb's report "sinful," and then poked fun at him for the time during his playing career when the TV broadcasters noticed he had put his shorts on backward. Carter also pointed out the "report" being circulated was that Hubert Davis was already named as Williams' successor.
Judging from his tone and facial expression, Williams was angry. Though he did end by saying, "I like Doug."
But Gottlieb later took to Twitter to state his "report" was no report at all. He said he suggested on CBS' pregame show that Williams could have retirement on his mind due to his ailing knees, a recent episode of vertigo, and impending NCAA sanctions. Gottlieb also indicated there are several college basketball experts who believe Williams sees winning a National Title as the perfect opportunity to retire.
There was no "report" on Roy. Simply stating his knees,vertigo,NCAA stuff make people think this could be his last year #UNC
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 20, 2016
and yes, people in basketball think Roy might walk if they win the whole thing....this is not news to anyone in hoops — Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 20, 2016
Gottlieb contended he was misquoted by whoever relayed the message to Williams, but did acknowledge the coach's "pants on backward" jab as being "accurate.
Bad journalism is misquoting me to Roy, making it into a "report of him retiring"
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 20, 2016
The Washington Post pointed out that Williams had a similar outburst during a 2003 post-game interview, with a CBS reporter nonetheless. Bonnie Bernstein asked if he had any comment about the vacant North Carolina coaching job, which Williams, then the head coach at Kansas, said he "could give a s---" about.
North Carolina made Williams its head basketball coach two months later.