When Roy Williams described declining UNC legend Dean Smith's recruitment attempt as "painful an experience as I’ve ever had"

Roy Williams, a former North Carolina and Kansas coach, is a legendary figure in college basketball. Rising from an assistant under Dean Smith to winning three national championships, Williams cultivated a long and impressive career.

After Smith stepped down from coaching in 1997, Williams was a leading candidate for the Tar Heels' job. North Carolina offered him the head coaching position in 2000, but at the time, Williams was not ready to leave Kansas, where he had been coaching for over a decade.

At the July 2000 press conference, Williams explained his decision in front of a packed room. He began by saying that he was staying in Kansas and it was the toughest seven days of his life, as he had two great options from two universities he loved.

"Before I go on to say things about Kansas, I would like to thank North Carolina and their administration," Williams said, per KU Sports. "Athletic director Dick Baddour was sensational during this process. My decision, as I said, was the toughest time period I have ever had. I sincerely apologize to him.

"The phone conservation I had with coach Smith was as painful an experience as I’ve ever had. I apologize to him and just those words aren’t enough. Coach (Bill) Guthridge was another hard call. He and Coach Smith are the reason I am here today, and I can’t help but feel that I have let them down in some way."

Roy Williams also apologized to his friends and family in North Carolina for not speaking with them beforehand. He would stay at Kansas for three more seasons before eventually taking the UNC job in 2003.

Roy Williams accepted the UNC job after Dean Smith's emotional second appeal

When Bill Guthridge, who took over at North Carolina after Dean Smith, retired after three seasons, the Tar Heels initiated their call for Roy Williams. He turned down the initial attempt but was much more receptive the second time.

Williams eventually accepted the job, largely due to Smith’s appeal, which he could not turn down again.

"There's several factors for my decision," Williams said, per Tar Heels Wire, "my roots, my dream and my family. And I don't mind saying this, but there's Coach [Dean] Smith. It's hard saying 'no' to him twice."

"They asked me to come back and I felt like, Coach Smith, Nick Collison leaving is the biggest thing. But the second thing was Coach Smith saying 'We wanted you last time, we need you this time.' And that meant a great deal to me too."

Roy Williams would then coach at Chapel Hill for 18 seasons, winning three national championships before retiring in 2021.