Isn't it ironic that on his way to claim his first title at Kansas that new head coach Bill Self knocked out old head coach Roy Williams. Williams' departure from Lawrence was abrupt to many and vast majority of the Kansas' fans still hold a grudge.
Despite getting dismantled by the Jayhawks, though Williams' was in attendance for Monday's championship game and proudly was supporting a Kansas Jayhawks' sticker on his shirt. In fact, Williams appeared on the CBS halftime show and spoke openly of his desire to see his former players get what he was able to after leaving the school, a National Championship.
There are many fans though, particularly in Chapel Hill, that are in disbelief that Williams would be so open in his support of his former team?
Was Roy in the wrong? I tend to think not, but he has had his fair share of criticism.
Check out what some of the critics are saying:
SportingNews.com - Jordan Mason
I honestly do not mind Williams staying in San Antonio to watch his former team in the national championship despite the fact that his players returned after their game Saturday. I even do not mind Williams admitting that he was for his former team as he did last night. But the UNC coach crossed a line last night in supporting his former team. Carolina fans were weary all of Williams’s reluctance to play Kansas leading up to the Final Four game. The Tar Heels not showing up in the first half of that game did not help matters. But not even that was as bad as Williams wearing the insignia of the team that hastily dismissed his team from the Final Four just two days after the fact. What kind of message does this send to your fans? Or, most importantly, your players? Everyone understands your previous allegiance to Kansas, but that is no excuse.
Charlotte Observer - Tom Sorensen
Roy's intentions undoubtedly were honorable. Kansas gave him his first head coaching job, and he stayed 15 years. Based on his words, actions and sticker, he hasn't made peace with his departure. Before he accepted the job with his alma mater, he told his players he was leaving them. That hurt him deeply, and that's good. Some coaches treat players as if they're disposable. You want a coach who cares. Roy cares. Alas, he also cares about being liked. He wants Kansas to like him, thus Monday's show of Jayhawks solidarity. I wouldn't be surprised if before the game Williams approached every Kansas fan and said, "Hi, my name is Roy and I'm still sorry."
Burlington Times News - Bob Sutton
After Kansas put an end to North Carolina's season, Williams didn't skip an opportunity to prove that he meant it when he called Kansas his second-favorite team. The timing, of course, didn't thrill a lot of North Carolina fans, who expected Williams' team to perform quite a bit better against Kansas. So here was the coach after a tremendously disappointing loss chumming it up for the other team. You get the feeling that Williams tends to care what people think.
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