Portraits of top NCAA Coaches: Roy Williams
Some men coach, and some men are Coaches. Roy Williams, the current head coach at the University of North Carolina is, without any question a Coach. Not only has he coached different sports, but also succeeds. The title of his autobiography is “Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court”.
Born in Marion, North Carolina, Smith moved around a lot as a child. For High School, Williams’ family relocated to Asheville, North Carolina. In Asheville, Williams would go to High School at T.C. Roberson High School and lettered in both baseball and basketball. After winning multiple accolades in basketball, as well as playing in the annual North Carolina Blue-White All-Star Game as a senior. Williams was also named captain for his team.
Read MorePortraits of top NCAA Coaches: Ben Howland
When coaching at UCLA, one will be measured against the Wizard of Westwood himself, John Wooden. Wooden lead the UCLA Bruins to 10 national championships and lead the team to 4 undefeated seasons in the 60’s and 70’s. It is tough for any coach to even dream of matching those credentials, but Ben Howland is definitely been on the right track.
Read MorePortraits of top NCAA Coaches: Jay Wright
According to the Z.Z. Top song, “every girl is crazy about a sharp dressed man.” That and having a smart basketball mind will get you a Head Coaching job in the Big East. If you don’t think so, ask Jay Wright.
As the head coach of the Villanova University Wildcats, Wright has been named as a winner of the annual Fashionable Four, a tournament held by GQ magazine, that awards the best dressed coach in college Basketball. He has parlayed his success in amateur-unintentional modeling into success on the court reaching post-season play with Villanova for the past seven years, including a Final Four appearance in 2009.
Read MorePortraits of top NCAA Coaches: Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan was Nicknamed ‘Billy the Kid’ by Petino while he played at Providence. Donovan blossomed under a young coach just off a stint with the New Jersey Nets: Rick Pitino. While playing under Pitino the Friars flourished and Donovan averaged 15 points per game as a junior and 20 as a senior. During Donovan’s senior season, the Friars would go to the Final Four.
After graduating with a degree in general social studies, Donovan was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the third round of the 1987 NBA Draft. After being waived by the Jazz, Donovan went to the Wyoming Wildcatters of the CBA and then played for short stint alongside his college coach Rick Pitino with the New York Knicks.
Read MorePortraits of top NCAA Coaches: Tom Izzo
Earlier this week, there were reports that Tom Izzo, coach of the Michigan State University Spartans would leave to open the new Matthew Knight arena at the University of Oregon. The man who had lead the Spartans since 1995, never missing a post-season tournament in the process, would open up their new arena, paid for by alumnus and Nike founder Phil Knight, and return their team to former glory.
But, as the saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true… it probably is.” Izzo denied that he had been contacted and confirmed his commitment to the Spartans. “I’m happy with the job that I have,” Izzo said.
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