Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court

by Roy Williams

One of the most respected and successful basketball coaches in the nation, Coach Roy Williams has traveled an unlikely path. In Hard Work¸ he tells the story of his life, from his turbulent childhood through a coaching career with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. With his new afterword, Williams takes us past the two NCAA championship titles to the subsequent 2010 season, its shake-up losses, the unexpected departure of key players, and on to a new season of coaching some of the most dazzling young players in the country—and a surprising ACC championship. Williams recounts his rough early years; his long tenure as head coach at the University of Kansas; how he recruits, teaches, and motivates his players; how he’s shepherded teams through some of the most nail-biting games at both Kansas and UNC; and how he suffered through one of the roughest seasons of his tenure and came out on the other side to be awarded 2011 ACC Coach of the Year.

351 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2011

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roy Williams' life is interesting. I would describe his story as big fish in a little pond that became a monster shark in an ocean. This book tells his story from growing up poor in North Carolina to being a standout in his high school and finally head basketball coach at UNC. The title adequately sums up his life, Hard Work.

There are many life lessons in here. Ways to treat and approach people, family, opposition, failure and success. It is not a self-help, or motivational book, but one can find golden nuggets of advice and attitudes that can lead to success. I especially like the mantra of play hard, play smart, play together.

[Tyler Handy]

This book absolutely left an imprint on the way I choose to operate our marketing and distribution of our books, simply by the way way he went after his successes. Hard Work is simply, grinding or digging out your own path.

[Scott Hinsche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for fans

A must read for UNC & Roy Williams fans, although the book is a bit choppy. I enjoyed it though.

[Harshu Yadav · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sach so inspirational story.