For more than two decades, Gary Williams coached the Terrapin men’s basketball team with a fervor for the game he has known since he was 5 years old. Few showed more intensity than Williams, who screamed at players and coaches on the bench, ranted at referees and sweated through his suit.
Many saw only that side of him. But Friday’s press conference to announce his retirement after 22 years as Terp coach showed just how much Williams means to the program and this university — and just how much they mean to him.
Walking onto the Comcast Center court before thousands of supporters, Williams uncorked his trademark, right-handed fist pump and joined university President Wallace Loh and Athletics Director Kevin Anderson on a stage flanked by the trophies his teams had won.
Tears welled in his eyes and his lips trembled as fans chanted his name and stood in adoration.
Williams, the man behind 668 career wins and a national championship, was finally saying goodbye to the university he loved, saying, “It’s the right time.”
He paused several times during his speech to keep his emotions from overtaking him as he thanked the students, alumni, administrators and friends he had made in his long coaching journey.
Williams, 66, said he was ready to move on.
“I’ve seen coaches where they just stayed too long,” Williams said. “If you leave a little early, it’s better than leaving late. It really is.”
Williams first told Anderson of his intentions to leave April 29, then mulled over retirement during that weekend and re-affirmed his decision last Monday after speaking with several close friends.
He told his returning players during a 4 p.m. meeting Thursday, and an official announcement was made shortly after.
“Why now? It’s just a gut feeling, really, more than anything else,” said Williams, who added he considered retiring after winning the national championship in 2002 and then again after the team won a share of the ACC regular-season championship last year. “It’s a time in my life where I have an opportunity to do some things.”
While rumors circulated abut Williams’ potential successor, Anderson said the day and the moment were Williams’ and refused to comment on the situation ahead. Instead, he joined in the praise for the longtime coach.
“Gary has made it great to be a Terp,” Anderson said. “We’re here today to celebrate a great man, a great father, a great grandfather and a terrific coach. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some pretty special people, but no one’s more special than Gary Williams. He’s more than a coach. He’s a teacher, he’s a friend, and he’s a wonderful, wonderful human being.”
And while fans will remember the passionate man who created “Garyland” in College Park, others pointed to his love of the game, care for his players and undying motivation as his lasting legacies.
“His passion for the game is unbelievable,” forward Haukur Palsson said. “I’ve never been with a coach that has as much passion as he does. You think he’s yelling at you first, but you can see he just wants to win the game.”
Palsson said he learned more than just basketball from Williams, whose lessons were “just in life and everything.”
“Most people only see him on the court and how intense he is,” former guard Eric Hayes said. “Off the court, during practices and just spending time with him beyond the basketball court was a lot of fun. He was a great person to be around and always personable. I don’t think a lot of people got to see that side of him.”
“I’ve been around a lot of coaches and some very good ones, and I’ve never seen someone teach and have the attention of the players like he was able to do,” Anderson said. “He’s one of the best, no question about it.”
Because of Williams’ success and impact on the program, Loh and Anderson have submitted a formal request to the Board of Regents to have the court named in his honor.
“It’s a great honor,” Williams said. “I didn’t walk out here 22 years saying, ‘I hope they put my name on the court.’ Now that it’s here, it’s a great honor.”
The coach, who played point guard for the team from 1965-67, said he would have no role in the search for his successor, although Anderson said he submitted some recommendations.
Williams will serve as an assistant athletics director and special assistant to Anderson. But he does not plan on keeping his high-profile visibility.
“I don’t want anybody to think that I’m going to be a presence here,” Williams said. “The new coach is running the basketball program. He will not see me.”
For many, Williams’ presence will be missed. He resurrected his alma mater from the depths of scandal in 1989 to national prominence while securing millions of dollars in donations for player scholarships and construction of athletic facilities.
“He took great pride in this university,” men’s soccer coach Sasho Cirovski said. “He’s got an unbelievable heart and great love for this university. I love the guy.”
Now, the man who has known little besides basketball for the past 43 years is ready for a change, ready to step away from the sport that defined him.
“You can’t predict the future,” Williams said. “I don’t know how long I have to be able to do other things, or if I was still coaching how long that would last. You can’t say, well, this is the exact time. I know I coached as hard as I ever had this past year, so it’s good leaving knowing I’ve done that.”
ceckard at umdbk dot com
