Understanding group

Kansas fans reluctantly accept Williams' choice to leave

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Perry Lockwood watched as Roy Williams climbed into his car Monday and drove away from Allen Fieldhouse as head coach of the Jayhawks for the last time.

The two exchanged waves and with that, Williams and his 15 years at Kansas were history.

"I just want to know why," said Lockwood, 30, of Lawrence. "As a fan and a supporter, I just want to know why. I have no problem with him going, I just want to know what's changed in three years."

Three years ago, when he was offered the job at North Carolina but decided to remain at Kansas, Williams told 16,000 fans gathered at Memorial Stadium he would be in Lawrence forever.

For those fans, forever ended Monday.

"He's a man of his word," Lockwood said. "I might feel a little let down, but there's other reasons."

And even before hearing them Monday night, when Williams is expected to formally accept the North Carolina job during a news conference in Chapel Hill, N.C., many Kansas students and Jayhawks fans said whatever those reasons were, after 418 wins and four Final Fours, they were good enough.

"I think most of the KU students are going to be sad but understand," said sophomore Carly Timm, of Olathe, when she learned the news as her classes concluded for the day.

Bob Whitaker, a freshman offensive guard on the Kansas football team, said Williams had to do what was in his heart. He hoped Kansas found a replacement who was "the best fit for the job."

Many said they weren't surprised by Williams' decision, news of which was slowly spreading across campus Monday night, said senior Kevin O'Connor.

"It's North Carolina," O'Connor said. "It's one of the best jobs in the country."

It was a reaction shared by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who followed the Jayhawks to New Orleans and the Final Four earlier this month.

"It's no surprise that every team in America wants a great coach like Roy Williams," Sebeilus said. "We thank Coach Williams for 15 exciting seasons and wish him the best. Kansas has a long-standing tradition of excellent coaching, and we look forward to the next chapter."

Some fans on campus had already moved on by Monday night and were talking about the search for a new coach, even tossing around names of possible replacements.

"I'm not too happy, but I hear that we're going to get that coach from Illinois," said Brandon Schultz, a junior from Apple Valley, Minn.

That would be Bill Self, the former coach at Tulsa whose name was also mentioned when Williams was last courted by North Carolina.

O'Connor said he wished Williams the best and hoped Kansas would find a top-notch replacement.

"I wish him the best of luck playing Duke twice a year," O'Connor said.

 

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