Sticker Shock

Posted: April 8, 2008
Updated: April 9, 2008

What did you think of UNC basketball coach Roy Williams' wearing a Kansas Jayhawks sticker on his shirt Monday night during the national championship game in San Antonio? Please weigh in.

I decided not to watch the CBS televised game between the Jayhawks and Memphis Tigers. I must confess the decision is part of my grieving process. UNC's highly disappointing loss to Kansas Saturday night sent many Tar Heel fans including myself into a blue funk. Carolina just didn't seem to play with the fire and passion that got them to the Final Four, and many fans were disappointed that Williams didn't call timeouts in the first half to curb the Jayhawks’ rally, which resulted in a 28-point lead.

I subscribe to a UNC sports Web site, and Tuesday morning, I was surprised to see a barrage of criticism against the Carolina coach for wearing that sticker. Many saw the gesture as a slap in the face and like pouring salt into the wounds of defeat. They criticized the coach for staying in Texas instead of returning to Chapel Hill to be with his deflated players.

Personally, I have no problems with Roy wearing that sticker. He was head coach at Kansas for 15 successful years. He put his heart and soul into the program that he now calls his second favorite behind Carolina, of course. And it’s not like he was waving pompoms for the Jayhawks during the game. I saw the gesture as a touch of class much like I came to respect from Dean Smith during his legendary coaching career at Carolina.

Feel free to disagree.

158 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This blog post is closed for comments.

page 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first

His words in 2003 in the ncaa tourament loss was right now i don't give a chit about north carolina. Why didn't he say after the loss right now i don't give a chit about kansas. He sure waisted a lot of time outs he could of used in the first few min.Then in the second half when they cut it to 5 and when they got up to ten use a time out please. Wonder what time they teed off tues with the jay hawk four some. You got be carolina or kansas during basketball season after the season play golf with who ever. Dean new when to keep a low profile maybe you need some some more coaching.

rwilloughby3
April 9, 2008 9:57 p.m.

Report abuse

"I recall the 2003 final when Kansas and Roy were defeated by Syracuse. At that time, when the reporter asked him about the rumor that he would move to UNC, he said something like "Let's talk about it later. For now, I will have to care about my boys." What a loving coach to the Kansas players. Now what a different attitude towards UNC now and towards Kansas then. Am I too sensitive?"

Uh-yeah! Big difference in the situation. The rumours were he would be leaving or Chapel Hill--I can see the need to put that on the back burner. They were going to feel deserted no matter what. UNC has him--he just stayed to support former friends this time--not contemplating going back to KA. It is amazing how everyone seems to ignore that both he and Tyler stayed behind while the rest of the team traveled home. If he was going to stay for the awards presented to Tyler, why souldn't he enjoy watching a game if he couldn't coach the final game!

Citizen7265
April 9, 2008 9:30 p.m.

Report abuse

Tar Heels get over it!

My5cents
April 9, 2008 8:21 p.m.

Report abuse

I recall the 2003 final when Kansas and Roy were defeated by Syracuse. At that time, when the reporter asked him about the rumor that he would move to UNC, he said something like "Let's talk about it later. For now, I will have to care about my boys." What a loving coach to the Kansas players. Now what a different attitude towards UNC now and towards Kansas then. Am I too sensitive?

shuh9658
April 9, 2008 8:18 p.m.

Report abuse

If you feel that you as a fan have lost all respect for Roy, then by all means move on. But here's the thing you know you won't. Next fall when the ball is tipped again the same people on here crying will have their rears in a seat at the Smith Center or on the edge of their couch. And at some point in the season there will be a nail bitter, a double OT thriller like the Clemson game and you will marvel at Roy's coaching abilities and thank god that its him there walking the sidelines. You will have forgotten that you said things like, "I have lost all respect for him" and "If he loves KU so much, then go back". Why, because most fans are fickle. And if you need additional proof of that, go back about 8 weeks in the archives when people were on here talking trash about Lawson, I counted more than one of those same people singing his praises weeks later. BTW, if there are any disgruntled season ticket holders on here can I buy your Carolina/Duke tickets? Yeah, didn't think so.

Smart Alec
April 9, 2008 7:07 p.m.

Report abuse

Oops! Should have read "(that too many of the UNC FANS evidently lack)."

Citizen7265
April 9, 2008 2:58 p.m.

Report abuse

"After reading HUNDREDS of comments on this subject on WRAL and others, maybe he lost a bet? Since he and coach Self worked together, maybe they had a bet that the loser should come to the Title Game and support the other team by wearing their logo or something. I would guess that Roy would be there to cheer on Kansas anyway, but maybe the sticker was part of a "gentleman's bet"."

Roy appears to be too much of a GENTLEMAN to place such a bet on his former team. He simply showed class (that too many of the UNC evidently lack). He respects the past experiences that allowed him to get where he is today. It was obvious when he left Kansa that the decision was tough and emotional ties were strong. The next best thing to winning had to be watching a former coaching colleague reach success. Grow up fans, and stop making excuses for a man who does not need any.

Citizen7265
April 9, 2008 2:54 p.m.

Report abuse

You all must love janet jackson,because you all are saying what have you done for me lately?Let us see NCAA CHAMPS,2005,FINAL FOUR 2008,NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR 2006.GET OFF OF ROY'S BACK!!!!!!!!A LOT BETTER THAN MATT WILL EVER DO.NEVER WIN WITH OVERRATED PSYCO THERE THOUGH,TELL HIM TO LEAVE ROY.

050462
April 9, 2008 2:22 p.m.

Report abuse

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!!!!!!!!do not worry though your team will find another reason to choke again next year in basketball,since NO ACC team is good in football,baseball.

050462
April 9, 2008 2:16 p.m.

Report abuse

MATT DOUGHTEY SAME THING WHATEVER

050462
April 9, 2008 2:10 p.m.

Report abuse