Roy Williams lied to us. For years he has lied to us. Just last season he said his "home" was with the Jayhawks and that he had no desire to be anywhere else, not even Chapel Hill. I don't believe that there is a coach in America that can replace him at KU. I know all the students, alumni and other fans are shocked and disappointed in coach Williams.

Greg Goss
Lawrence, Kan.

It's really frustrating to see Roy go, especially after he told his fans and admirers day in and day out that he was a Jayhawk forever. I can't see UNC giving Roy the kind of reception that he got at KU, where he was totally worshiped by everyone. He WAS KU basketball; a living legend. Now it's clear that he wasn't at KU to build a Jayhawk dynasty and "family," but to merely set himself up for the North Carolina job. I thought he had more class than that.

Dan
Lawrence, Kan.

As a 1994 Kansas graduate and ardent KU basketball fan, I am deeply saddened by the news that Roy Williams will be leaving us. His commitment to excellence and the "kids" (as he called them) will not soon be forgotten. My only hope is that we can find another successor that displays the same grace, professionalism and caring as coach Williams.

E.V. Dalavai
Dallas, Texas

While I think Mr. Guthridge filled in admirably for Dean Smith these past three years, everyone around Tar Heel country pretty much knew he was filling a spot until Roy Williams was ready to come. I actually think that the Kansas-Duke game in the NCAAs last year pushed Roy over the edge and convinced him that UNC is the place he wants to be. When he and Coach K got into it, you could see it in Williams' eyes. A big thanks goes out to Bill Guthridge, in my opinion, for continuing the Tar Heels' great tradition and knowing the proper time to step aside.

Mike Driver
Wilson, N.C.

Bill Guthridge has single-handedly destroyed Kansas Jayhawk basketball.

Rick
Topeka, Kan.

I think it sucks!!! Being a Jayhawk fan stuck in Badger country, I have waited patiently for the day when I can celebrate a national championship. Losing the best coach in the game so Dickie V can talk about him 24/7 while KU is left in the dark is frustrating.

Slick
Milwaukee

I believe coach Williams is the winner either way. The cupboard here at KU is loaded, maybe not as much as Carolina, and we could make a run to the Final Four next year. Either way, he is the classiest coach in college basketball and we Jayhawk fans wish him only the best.

Ryan Carpenter
Lawrence, Kan.

I'm so happy Roy took the job. I couldn't ask for anything better. I respect coach Guthridge, but it was time for him to go -- he should have stepped down after his first season. I'm the biggest Tar Heel fan outside the state of North Carolina, and am extremely excited today. Go Heels!

Willie Miller
Pennsylvania

As a Kansas fan, I'm sad to see such a high-quality, honest, hard-working coach depart our program. Coach Williams is a wonderful example of how college basketball SHOULD be. Like North Carolina, Kansas has a tradition of honor and stability in its coaching program. I wish coach Williams the best at North Carolina and hope that he'll have 99 percent success with everyone he plays. The one percent that remains is for those games where KU, with our new coach, whoever that may be, has to remind him why he should have stayed. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!

Matthew Holt
Minneapolis

I think that it is disappointing that coach Guthridge is stepping down. But as usual, the talent that will follow him will be just a good as coach Guthridge himself. We were lucky to have Guthridge for so long, just as we were lucky to have coach Smith for a long time. But now we will win with Roy Williams.

Andrew Kaplan
Indianapolis

Being a Kansas graduate I am sad to see Roy Williams leave. He did a great job with his players and was great to the student body at Kansas. I wish him the best of luck at UNC. The Tar Heels are getting a great coach. As far as Kansas goes, it is decision time -- this is a make or break point for us. We have declined the past two years. The coach Kansas picks must be a good one because if he isn't, Kansas could fall down real fast.

Stuart Lazarus
Chicago

I think this is terrible. Roy Williams is the best coach in the nation and the Jayhawks need him to guide the young guys and to guide Chenowith. WE NEED YOU ROY, DON'T LEAVE!!!!!

Brian
Munster, Ind.

The Jayhawks are in deep trouble unless they come up with a major hire right away. With the next recruiting period about to begin, KU must get a coach in place immediately. With DeShawn Stevenson going pro, last year's recruiting class was almost empty, so this year's class has to be outstanding. Roy leaving now could not have come at a worse time for KU.

Jeff
Takoma Park, Md.

The world of college basketball better stand up and take notice. Not only does UNC have one of the best incoming classes, it also got a great coach in Roy Williams. God is indeed a Tar Heel fan.

John
Wilmington, N.C.

As a college basketball fan, I am disappointed in seeing Roy Williams leave Kansas. His name was synonymous with Jayhawk basketball over last several years. I certainly understand Carolina going after a member of its coaching fraternity, but Roy Williams should have realized that he already stood at the apex of greatness and was creating his own legacy at Kansas. Now he will become another coach, standing in the shadow of Dean Smith's lingering aura. I don't think that the Tar Heels will be better off with Roy Williams. Despite a Cinderella Run to the Final Four last year, this Carolina team will lounge around the middle of the ACC, and when the scrutiny, questions and pressure of expectations hits Roy Williams, he will then question why he left a place that adored him and treated him like Kansas' favorite son who could do no wrong.

Kingsley
Philadelphia

As a lifelong KU fan, this coaching change is devastating. I can't believe that Roy is going to leave his players which have shown such great loyalty to him by not going to the NBA. Now coach Roy has a big problem. He could have been the Dean Smith-type coach at Kansas, but he will always be Dean Smith's stepchild at UNC.

Scott Sullivan
Chicago, Ill.

Go Heels! I think Roy is the man best fit to return Carolina to Dean-like status. Taking nothing away from Gut, I see the Heels revived and excited to start the 2000-2001 season. Roy knows Chapel Hill very well and is simply the natural replacement to get things done.

Jim Moeller
Chicago

As a Tar Heel alum, I was very disappointed to hear coach Guthridge was retiring. Then the basketball gods smiled in Blue Heaven and Roy Williams was named successor, and all is right in the world! Thanks, coach Guthridge for 34 great years at UNC! And welcome, coach Williams!

Lorrie McNeill
Rockville, Md.

This is totally awesome! Bill Guthridge was a great person, but I think this change reinvigorates this basketball program. The recruiting power Williams has alone will carry this team back up to prominence. Time will tell if Williams can lead this program, but it sure is an exciting time to be a Tar Heel faithful!

Michael Coolsen
Chapel Hill, N.C.

I don't care what the reason is, I now hate Roy Williams more than anything else. He was our only chance at a championship and now he has betrayed us for some organization who could easily find another head coach in no time. We will probably end up with some no-name loser who hasn't coached anything higher than his daughter's first-grade team. We are screwed. Thanks a lot, ex-coach Williams.

Joe Zimmer
Topeka, Kan.