Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Head Coach
With 14 NCAA Tournament berths in the last 17 seasons, seven Sweet Sixteen appearances, a pair of consecutive Final Four showings, and the 2002 National Championship - the first of its kind in Maryland basketball history - Williams and his staff have literally forged what is now more than a decade of dominance in college basketball's most storied and competitive conference.
After leading the Terrapins to the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in 2010, Williams was voted the league's Coach of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. It was his second such award, as he was also honored in 2002.
Now with 442 victories as Maryland's head coach, Williams stands as the Terrapins all-time winningest head basketball coach. He passed Charles "Lefty" Driesell, who amassed 348 victories in 18 seasons from 1969 to 1986. The Terrapins have averaged 22.6 wins per year since the 1994-95 season.
With 649 career victories in 32 seasons overall, Williams is the 5th-winningest active head coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The rise of the Maryland program has run parallel with Williams' ascent among the most notable in the collegiate coaching fraternity. Williams was one of only five coaches to boast a string of 11 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament from 1994-2004. He has produced at least 20 wins in 12 of his last 15 seasons, and in a school-record eight straight from 1996-97 to 2003-04. With 18 career 20-win seasons, Williams is seventh among active coaches.
- Williams was inducted into the Baltimore Sports Hall of Legends in a September ceremony. He joins such Maryland state luminaries as Babe Ruth, John Unitas, Brooks Robinson and Jim McKay.
- In June of 2005, Williams received the University of Maryland's highest alumni honor as he, Connie Chung, Renaldo Nehemiah and others were inducted into the University of Maryland's Alumni Hall of Fame. Williams was inducted into the University of Maryland's Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
- In January of 2005, Williams was named one of Washingtonian Magazine's Washingtonians of the Year. He joined others such as Washington D.C. mayor Anthony Williams and Tim Russert of NBC's Meet The Press on the prestigious list.
- In September of 2004, Williams joined Washington Redskins great Darrell Green and Washington Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Abe Pollin as the inaugural inductees into the new Greater Washington Sports Hall of Champions.
- Williams was one of only five coaches in NCAA Division I to have led his team to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, from 1994-2004. The Terrapins' 2010 appearance in the NCAA Tournament marks the 17th consecutive postseason berth for Williams' teams.
- In guiding his 2004 Terrapins to the ACC Tournament title, Williams became the third coach in league history to lead his team to victory over the top three seeds: No. 3 Wake Forest, No. 2 NC State and No. 1 Duke. By overcoming a 21-point first half deficit against the Wolfpack, Williams engineered the greatest comeback in the 52-year history of the ACC Tournament.
- He is one of seven college basketball coaches since 1980 to guide his alma mater to the Final Four and was the first since 1974 to lead his alma mater to a national title.
- A winner of nearly 70 percent of his NCAA Tournament games while at Maryland, he ranks ninth among active coaches in NCAA Tournament winning percentage overall (29-16, .644), and eighth in wins (29).
- With his 500th win at NC State on March 2, 2003, the 1968 Maryland grad became the sixth ACC alumnus in conference history to amass as many as 500 coaching victories.
- With a victory over No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Jan. 19, 2008, he is the winningest coach in the nation against top-ranked opponents (7).
- With 442 wins as Maryland¡¦s head coach, Williams is only the sixth mentor in Atlantic Coast Conference history to pass the 300-victory milestone.
- With 185 career regular-season ACC victories as Maryland's coach, Williams ranks as the third-winningest ACC coach in terms of conference victories. Only Dean Smith (364, North Carolina) and Mike Krzyzewski (274, Duke) have more ACC wins.
- Williams coached the 1,000th game of his 32-year career on 1/23/2010 at home against NC State.
Williams was heralded as the national and Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year during the Terps' 2002 championship run. He is one of just 11 active coaches in America to boast a national title and one of only three in the conference.
He has become the third-winningest coach in ACC history after transforming the Maryland program into one of the nation's most formidable, and building a Baltimore-D.C. area following that has consistently resulted in packed arenas.
After demolishing attendance records with sellout crowds during the final years of Maryland basketball at Cole Field House, Williams' Terps have finished in the top 10 nationally in each of the last nine seasons. The Terrapins played before 341,050 fans in 2007-08, averaging 100 percent of capacity for the second time in Comcast Center history.
Williams is one of just two 600-win coaches who now engineer the programs at their respective alma maters, joining Jim Boeheim at Syracuse. With Roy Williams of North Carolina, those three also are the only active coaches to direct their alma maters to at least one Final Four appearance.
In 2001, Williams became just the sixth coach since 1980 to direct his alma mater to the Final Four. A year later, he became the first coach since 1974 to guide his alma mater to a national title. Williams is the only active coach to take his alma mater to consecutive Final Four appearances. He is only the eighth mentor ever to guide his alma mater to consecutive Final Fours, and the first since Houston's Guy Lewis in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
A former Terrapin point guard and 1968 graduate, Williams was a starter under coach Bud Millikan during the 1965, 1966 and 1967 seasons. He was the team captain as a senior and still lists one of his most memorable basketball moments as his experience as a spectator at the 1966 national championship game conducted at Maryland's legendary Cole Field House, between Texas Western and Kentucky.
The former Terrapin student-athlete is also noted as one of just eight former ACC basketball players ever to return to the league as a head coach. On March 2, 2003, Williams became the sixth ACC alumnus to win at least 500 games as Drew Nicholas nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to down NC State, 68-65. Williams is only the sixth ACC coach to reach the 300 milestone.
Inducted into the University of Maryland Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the University's Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005, Williams has placed his alma mater's program back among the elite in the always-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terps have become synonymous with Duke and North Carolina among the league's most dominant programs, and nationally have become a fixture among weekly polls.
Williams was hired on June 13, 1989. He inherited a team that had won only nine games the year before and finished in last place in the ACC. Displaying his coaching abilities immediately, he helped the Terps to 19 wins while advancing to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament - and making him the first coach in school history to lead a team into the postseason in his first year. In addition, Maryland's 10-game improvement in the win column during Williams' first season was the largest in school history and second largest in the annals of the ACC by a first-year coach. Only the legendary Press Maravich, who improved NC State's winning ledger by 13 games in his inaugural season (1965), can boast a higher first-year improvement in the win column.
A 1968 graduate of Maryland, Williams lettered as the Terps' starting point guard from 1965-67 under head coach Bud Millikan, serving as team captain during his senior season. It was as a player in the ACC that Williams began developing his basketball philosophy. He studied the game under Millikan, and it was then that he developed his penchant for the full-court pressure defenses for which his teams are now known. He learned his half court man-to-man defense from Millikan, who learned from the legendary Hank Iba. The fast-breaking offense that Williams' teams employ is similar to the style Vic Bubas' Duke teams used when Williams was a player.
Path Back To College Park
Williams began his coaching career as a graduate student at Maryland under freshman coach Tom Davis. The 1969 freshman team finished with a 12-4 record as Williams bonded with Davis in a relationship that would serve him well as his coaching career progressed.
After earning a degree in business, he continued his coaching career as an assistant at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J. After one year, he took over as the head coach and guided his first team to a perfect 27-0 record and the state title. Williams has called that season "the ultimate -- there wasn't another game to win." Upon winning the NCAA West Region championship in 2001, he fondly recalled his championship at Camden as the "only other time I've ever got to cut down a net."
Williams spent one more year at Woodrow Wilson before accepting an invitation from Davis in 1972 to become an assistant at Lafayette College. While an assistant at Lafayette, Williams also served as the head soccer coach. In 1978, Williams accompanied Davis to Boston College. After one year there, Williams became the head coach at American University.
Williams immediately began making his mark. His 1981 squad set the still-standing school record for victories with a 24-6 mark, won the East Coast Conference championship, and played in the NIT. Williams was named the district coach of the year. American returned to postseason play the next season as the Williams-led Eagles went 21-9 and played in the NIT for the second consecutive year. Only once prior to Williams' arrival had AU attended a postseason tournament, and the Eagles have not returned since. Williams' four-year record at AU was 72-42.
In 1983, Williams succeeded Davis at Boston College. He was once again an instant success, posting a 25-7 record and leading the Eagles to the regular-season championship of the Big East in his first season. Making his first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Williams directed the Eagles to the Sweet 16. He finished third in the balloting for national coach of the year, and was honored again as the Eastern Coach of the Year by his peers. He went on to duplicate that NCAA Tournament success again in 1985, leading B.C. back to the Sweet Sixteen.
In 1987, Williams accepted the head coaching job at Ohio State, becoming the 10th basketball coach in that school's illustrious history. He succeeded Eldon Miller and once again enjoyed success. In three years, the Buckeyes made three postseason appearances. His first squad defeated then-No. 1 and unbeaten Iowa (coached by Tom Davis) in the regular season, in what would be the first of many giant-killings. During Williams' three-year term at Ohio State, OSU defeated a second-ranked Purdue team, perennial power Kansas and highly regarded Big Ten powers Michigan and Illinois. Each of Williams' three Ohio State teams advanced to postseason play, and he laid the groundwork for the highly successful teams that followed when he left Columbus for College Park.
Williams' recent charity work has benefited:
- Coaches vs. Cancer
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- National Autism Research
- National Physical Education Council
- The Salvation Army
- The Babe Ruth Museum
The Gary Williams File
Year-By-Year Head Coaching Record
Overall Conference Year School W L Pct. W L Pct. Finish NCAA Tournament Participation 1978-79 American 14 13 .519 7 4 .636 4th 1979-80 American 13 14 .481 5 6 .455 5th 1980-81 American 24 6 .800 11 0 1.000 1st 1981-82 American 21 9 .700 8 3 .727 3rd 1982-83 Boston Coll. 25 7 .781 12 4 .750 T-1st NCAA West Region Semifinals (1-1) 1983-84 Boston Coll. 18 12 .600 8 8 .500 4th 1984-85 Boston Coll. 20 11 .645 7 9 .438 6th NCAA Midwest Region Semifinals (2-1) 1985-86 Boston Coll. 13 15 .464 4 12 .250 7th 1986-87 Ohio State 20 13 .606 9 9 .500 6th NCAA Southeast Region Second Round (1-1) 1987-88 Ohio State 20 13 .606 9 9 .500 6th 1988-89 Ohio State 19 15 .559 6 12 .333 8th 1989-90 Maryland 19 14 .576 6 8 .429 T-5th 1990-91 Maryland 16 12 .571 5 9 .357 7th 1991-92 Maryland 14 15 .483 5 11 .313 8th 1992-93 Maryland 12 16 .429 2 14 .125 8th 1993-94 Maryland 18 12 .600 8 8 .500 T-4th NCAA Midwest Region Semifinals (2-1) 1994-95 Maryland 26 8 .765 12 4 .750 T-1st NCAA West Region Semifinals (2-1) 1995-96 Maryland 17 13 .567 8 8 .500 T-4th NCAA West Region First Round (0-1) 1996-97 Maryland 21 11 .656 9 7 .563 T-4th NCAA Southeast Region First Round (0-1) 1997-98 Maryland 21 11 .656 10 6 .625 3rd NCAA West Region Semifinals (2-1) 1998-99 Maryland 28 6 .824 13 3 .813 2nd NCAA South Region Semifinals (2-1) 1999-00 Maryland 25 10 .714 11 5 .688 2nd NCAA Midwest Region Second Round (1-1) 2000-01 Maryland 25 11 .694 10 6 .625 3rd NCAA Final Four, West Region Champions (4-1) 2001-02 Maryland 32 4 .889 15 1 .938 1st NCAA Final Four, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (6-0) 2002-03 Maryland 21 10 .677 11 5 .688 T-2nd NCAA South Region Semifinals (2-1) 2003-04 Maryland 20 12 .625 7 9 .438 6th NCAA Denver Regional Second Round (1-1) 2004-05 Maryland 19 13 .594 7 9 .438 T-6th 2005-06 Maryland 19 13 .594 8 8 .500 6th 2006-07 Maryland 25 9 .735 10 6 .625 T-2nd NCAA Midwest Regional Second Round (1-1) 2007-08 Maryland 19 15 .559 8 8 .500 T-5th 2008-09 Maryland 21 14 .600 7 9 .438 T-7th NCAA West Regional Second Round (1-1) 2009-10 Maryland 24 9 .727 13 3 .813 T-1st NCAA Midwest Regional Second Round (1-1) 4 Years American 72 42 .632 31 13 .705 4 Years Boston Coll. 76 45 .628 31 33 .484 NCAA - 3-2 3 Years Ohio State 59 41 .590 24 30 .444 NCAA - 1-1 21 Years Maryland 442 238 .650 185 148 .556 NCAA - 25-13 (.658) 32 Years Overall 649 366 .639 271 224 .547 NCAA - 29-16 (.644) Coaching Honors
- Naismith National Coach of the Year Finalist, 1995, 1997, 2002
- National Coach of the Year, 2002 (Basketball America, CBSSportsline.com)
- Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, 2002, 2010
- Victor Award, 2002 (National Academy of Sports Editors)
- Winged Foot Award, 2002 (N.Y. Athletic Club)
- Harry Litwack Eastern Coach of the Year Award, 2002 (Herb Good Basketball Club of Philadelphia)
- District Coach of the Year, 2002 (Basketball Times)
- Seaboard Region Coach of the Year, 1997, 2002 (Basketball Times & Eastern Basketball)
- National Coach of the Year, 2001 (Playboy)
- Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, 2000 (College Hoops Illustrated)
- Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, 1998 (ACC Athlete Magazine)
- U.S. Olympic Team Selection Committee, 1988
- Eastern Coach of the Year, 1983
- National Coach of the Year, second runner-up, 1983
- District Coach of the Year, 1981
International Experience
- Five-game, 12-day tour of Italy with Maryland basketball team in August of 2004
- Six-game, nine-day tour of France with Maryland basketball team in August of 1994
- Six-game, nine-day tour of Germany with ACC All-Star Team in July of 1990
- Eight-game, 12-day tour of Yugoslavia with Big East All-Star Team in July of 1984
Playing Experience
- 1965-67, University of Maryland, basketball letterwinner
- 1964, University of Maryland, freshman basketball team
- 1961-64, Collingswood High School, lettered four years in basketball and baseball
Playing Honors
- Maryland team captain, 1967
- Maryland field goal percentage record (1.000, 8-8) vs. South Carolina, 12-10-66
- Member 1965 Sugar Bowl Tournament title team and 1966 Charlotte Invitational Tournament championship team
Personal
Education: University of Maryland, 1968, B.S. in business; Collingswood (N.J.) High School, 1964
Family: Daughter: Kristin Scott, Son-in-law: Geoff Scott, Grandchildren: David Geoffrey Scott, Lauren Kelly Scott and John William Scott
NCAA DIVISION I COACHING WINS, ACTIVE COACHES
1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 868 2. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 829 3. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut 823 4. Bob Huggins, West Virginia 670 5. Gary Williams, Maryland 649 6. Jerry Slocum, Youngstown State 629 7. Homer Drew, Valparaiso 617 8. Roy Williams, North Carolina 614 9. Bo Ryan, Wisconsin 600 10. Mike Montgomery, California 593 MOST 20-WIN SEASONS, ACTIVE COACHES 1. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 32 2. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 26 3. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut 23 4. Bob Huggins, West Virginia 22 5. Roy Williams, North Carolina 20 6. Mike Montgomery, California 19 T7. Gary Williams, Maryland 18 T7. Rick Pitino, Louisville 18 CAREER NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS, ACTIVE COACHES
1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 77 2. Roy Williams, North Carolina 55 3. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 44 3. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut 43 5. Rick Pitino, Louisville 38 6. Tom Izzo, Michigan State 35 T7. Gary Williams, Maryland 29 T7. Tubby Smith, Minnesota 29 CAREER WINS - ALL GAMES, WHILE AT ACC SCHOOL
1. Dean Smith, North Carolina 879 2. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 795 3. Gary Williams, Maryland 442 4. Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech 354 5. Lefty Driesell, Maryland 348 6. Terry Holland, Virginia 326 7. Norm Sloan, NC State 266 8. Frank McGuire, UNC & USC 264 9. Dave Odom, Wake Forest 240 10. Carl Tacy, Wake Forest 222 CAREER WINS - ACC GAMES
1. Dean Smith, North Carolina 422 2. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 358 3. Gary Williams, Maryland 202 4. Frank McGuire, UNC & USC 160 5. Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech 149 6. Lefty Driesell, Maryland 139 7. Vic Bubas, Duke 128 8. Terry Holland, Virginia 126 9. Norm Sloan, NC State 117 10. Dave Odom, Wake Forest 110 Records through 2009-10 season
Coaches Guiding Their Alma Maters To National Championships
Phog Allen, Kansas 1952 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 2003 Bud Foster, Wisconsin 1941 Howard Hobson, Oregon 1939 Ed Jucker, Cincinnati 1961, 1962 Branch McCracken, Indiana 1940, 1953 Vadal Peterson, Utah 1944 Norm Sloan, NC State 1974 Fred Taylor, Ohio State 1960 Gary Williams, Maryland 2002 Roy Williams, North Carolina 2005, 2009 Coaches Guiding Their Alma Maters To The Final Four Since 1980
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 1987, 1996, 2003 Lou Carnesecca, St. John's 1985 Guy Lewis, Houston 1982, 1983, 1984 Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State 1995, 2004 Gary Williams, Maryland 2001, 2002 Richard Williams, Mississippi State 1996 Roy Williams, North Carolina 2005, 2008, 2009
