Pyramid Tribute: Confidence, Roy Williams (Head Coach - North Carolina)
Spanning more than four decades, Roy Williams' roots with the North Carolina program run deep.
In 1968-69, he played on the freshman
team under future UNC head man, Bill Guthridge.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in education ('72) and
secured his master's degree in teaching a year
later. After serving as an assistant coach at North Carolina
from 1978-1988, Williams was hired in July of 1998 to lead
Kansas. Over the next 15 seasons (1988-2003), he would win over 80%
of his games (418-101) and average 27.9 victories a
season.
In April 2003, Williams returned to his alma mater as head
coach. The past seven seasons in Chapel Hill he has
continued his run of excellence, guiding the Tar Heels to two
National Championships and four 30-plus win seasons.
Williams has also been the recipient of numerous awards during
his coaching career, including the John Wooden Legends of
Coaching Award. In 2007, he was inducted into the Naismith
Basketball Hall of Fame.
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'There are a number of skills and attributes that successful
players have, and one of those intangible qualities is confidence.
Most people, athletes or not, tend to be successful when they
believe they can accomplish what they set out to do. As a coach, my
job is to build up my players so they have confidence both as
individuals and in the team.
I know as a golfer I have a much better chance of hitting a
good shot or making a putt if I have the confidence to make a good
stroke. Sports psychologists talk about having good swing thoughts
and painting a mental picture of the ball going in the hole. Those
are psychological tools that help make a player more
confident.
Part of being confident is being prepared. When you shoot the
ball hour after hour in the gym until it becomes second nature or
you practice running a late-game situation until your players can
run the play in their sleep, then they will have the confidence to
successfully execute in a pressure situation.
Building confidence is important, but you should not give a
player false confidence either. You have to be realistic with young
players especially, otherwise they may think they can attempt to
make plays they are not capable of doing.
Of course talent is important and I like experienced talent best. But great teams, championship teams, have the confidence to go on the road in front of a hostile crowd and win and perform in the biggest games when both teams are talented.'
- Roy Williams
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Photos courtesy of University of
North Carolina Athletic Communications
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