by Roy Williams
First published 2009
Roy Williams opens his story in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where basketball became his refuge during a turbulent childhood. The first person in his family to attend college, Williams arrived at the University of North Carolina with one goal: learning to coach under the legendary Dean Smith. His journey took him through decades of building programs, first at the University of Kansas where he created a powerhouse, then back to UNC where his career began. Williams faced two agonizing choices that defined his legacy: staying loyal to Kansas after building their program from scratch, then later returning to his roots at North Carolina. Both decisions brought criticism and accusations. Through it all, Williams developed his coaching philosophy, learning how to recruit players, teach fundamentals, and motivate teams through pressure-filled games. His methods produced the third-highest winning percentage in NCAA history, surpassing coaching legends like Mike Krzyzewski, Bobby Knight, and John Wooden. Williams has guided teams to seven Final Fours and captured two national championships. This autobiography reveals how relentless effort transformed a boy from humble beginnings into a Hall of Fame coach, proving that dedication can turn dreams into reality.
Genres: biography, autobiography, sports, basketball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, rags-to-riches
Setting: Kansas, North Carolina, Western North Carolina
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
288 pages · Hardcover · Algonquin Books