Hard Work: A Life On and Off the Court

by Roy Williams, Tim Crothers

One of the most respected and successful basketball coaches in the nation, Coach Roy Williams traveled an unlikely path to a career that boasts the highest winning percentage among all active college coaches. Now, for the first time, he tells the story of his life, from his turbulent childhood to the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 2009 national championship season.

With unbridled honesty, Williams recounts his rough early years in the mountains of Western North Carolina. During the troubled times of his adolescence, Roy’s escape was a basketball court—whether it was a neighbor's dirt court or the local school gym where he’d shoot for hours at night. There was nowhere else to go, but as it turned out, no place he’d rather be. The first in his family to go to college, Williams wound up at the University of North Carolina with the dream of becoming a coach and learning under the celebrated Dean Smith.
He also recalls his long tenure as head coach at the University of Kansas and his two heart-wrenching decisions—to stay in Kansas at the program he built, and later, to return to UNC, to the one that built him—and the accusations that followed both.

Williams' autobiography lays plain how he recruits, teaches, and motivates his players, and how he’s shepherded teams through some of the most nail-biting games at both Kansas and UNC. His approach helped earn him the third-highest winning percentage in NCAA better than Mike Krzyzewski, Bobby Knight, and even John Wooden. So far, the Hall of Famer has coached in seven Final Fours, winning two NCAA championships in the last five seasons.

In Hard Work , Williams reveals the determination that took him from the humblest of beginnings to the pinnacle of coaching success, sharing his story because he believes that anyone can be inspired by its hard work really can make dreams come true.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Biography, Nonfiction, Leadership, Memoir, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Peter Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ughhhhh i love him so much

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really confuses me how anyone could dislike this man. S/o to Hannah for the gift even though it goes against your good sense. :) Paige and Ashley can't wait to read it too!

[Sam Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love Roy Williams more if I tried. I’m so proud to be a Tar Heel because of people like him. He’s such a gem of a human being.

[Matt Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[Madeleine George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was raised on North Carolina basketball. And until two years ago, Tar Heel nation answered to Roy Williams. I've always said that my work ethic as a student, director, and a writer has come largely from an adolescence spent in sports; nothing reflects that quite like this memoir. Williams has a lot to teach everyone: his players, his fans, his fellow coaches. They're all things I've consciously brought into my own practice as a leader: hunting for quotes, poems, and words outside your own to inspire those around you, insisting on a daily display of excellence, never failing to understand that you are only as good as the team behind you, and their happiness, success, and security should come before your own. Williams demands an atmosphere of mutual appreciation and togetherness, even when it means being intransigent on things like punctuality, teamwork, and group cohesion -- he recognizes that it's the only way we can communicate respect and care for one another.

Despite not attending UNC for undergrad or graduate school (... much to everyone's surprise), I always have been and will always be a Tar Heel born, bred, and dead. Watching my brother realize his lifelong dream of playing in the Dean Dome, wearing a UNC jersey, and being officially a part of the Carolina family has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Following the Heels around the country as they played toward the championship, sitting a row in front of Roy himself as we ended Coach K's career at that Final Four game in NOLA, joining the boys for a quiet night out after late-night, holiday games and standing with them in the hall of champions after a tough loss-- each and every moment is so enchanting, so special, and so blessed. Every day is a Great Day to be a Tar Heel -- and Roy Williams knows it.

[Bill K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roy Williams is the best in the game. Both on and off the court. I’m biased. But it’s hard to argue against that statement. Great, great read. Highly recommended to any Tar Heel or even college basketball fan.

[Sarah Boselovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me, you know that growing up in my household, my Dad only let us watch the college teams whose coach he respected. At age 4, I latched onto Coach K and have been a Duke fan ever since. However, I have always had a fervent respect for Roy Williams and his coaching career. That was solidified after reading this book. As an athlete and coach, I can’t recommend it enough. It also helped me get into the right mindset prior to our season starting in just a few weeks.

[Nick Mangieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because I love Roy with my whole heart lol

[Chloe Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this last week while I was at my grandparents house. I had just finished a book I brought with me and really wanted something new. I picked this up, expecting to hate it, despite the fact that my family are Tarheels fans. I don't care at all for basketball, but I found this book excellently written, with a mix of his home and on court life. He devotes more than just a PARAGRAPH (I'm looking at you, Dean Smith in "A Coach's Life") to his family, writing almost the entire book based on his relationships with his players and how he feels as a coach. For those who say: "If you're not a Tarheels fan, you won't enjoy it!" I disagree, as long as you get the basic concept of basketball (even if all you know is: the team with the most points win), you can understand and perhaps even enjoy it. The only downside is that at times, Williams spends too long on scores... :l

[Cameron Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in 1989 and grew up in Kansas. My dad is a KU alum, and I love the Jayhawks! The first years I really remember are the Pierce, Vaughn, and LaFrentz teams. KU basketball brought me something to bond over with my dad, and Roy Williams was a huge part of that. I still vividly remember the day Roy left, and I was one of those “angry fans,” albeit I was 13 years old. Obviously, I see things in a much different light today, and this book solidified those new feelings. Thank you, Coach Williams, for sharing your story with a boy from Eastern Kansas who cried at the end of every season like you did. Rock Chalk!

[Lee Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the main theme of the book (work harder than everyone else) but two things about Williams bothered me. 1. He was heavily recruiting a kid from Winona, MN and was complaining about how hard it was to get from the airport in Prairie du Chien, WI. That is asinine. That's an 1:42 drive. The LaCrosse, WI airport is 25 min from Winona and a much larger airport. Why would you ever fly into Prairie du Chien? (I know, random thing to bother me) and 2. HE DOES NOT EAT PIZZA. I would think he is a great coach and a really good human being if it weren't for these two things.

[Abe Shocket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily five stars if you are a Tar Heel fan. If you like college ball and you are not in the ACC, then three stars. For you ACC fans but not a Tar Heel? Then zero stars. For Dookies, less than zero! My only complaint is that - spoiler alert - the added afterward stops with the 2011 season with Harrison Barnes. I would have loved to read about his views on Marcus Page and Kennedy Meeks plus the most recent national championship win in 2017. Go Heels!

[Nathanael Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy reading, relatable, but inspiring story about how hard work and a love for basketball and people carried Roy Williams through a lifetime of challenges and triumphs to become one of the most beloved and successful college basketball coaches. If not a "life-changer", I still left this book reminded to appreciate the little things, to value each moment as significant, and to invest in my passions and loved ones. Highly recommend this book for anyone with interest in sports or leadership.

[Robert Pondiscio · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no way I'm giving a bad review to dadgum Roy Williams. I read this book nearly cover to cover on a flight in anticipation of another Tar Heels basketball season. It was like spending the flight with a fascinating and admirable seat mate. Essential reading for diehard Carolina fans. Subtract a star for everyone else.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Williams is one of those coaches that has won many basketball games, yet, he may have been a household name. After reading this book it hit me that he has been very successful and very influential basketball coach. I wish the author would have spent a little more time while he was at KU. I also appreciate the type of person Roy Williams is. Continued success.

[Phil Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I didn’t know much about who Roy was or is upbringing. Just emphasizes his competitive nature and how much he loves his family. Loved the quote about his father not teaching him anything. “You taught me lot about how to raise a family. I just looked at everyone you did and do the opposite!” Your history doesn’t totally define your future.

[Bailey VanHouten · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a person in leadership, this book is a must. It’s inspiring to read about a man as successful and impactful as Roy Williams comes from humble beginnings to change lives. The main takeaway for me: whatever you want to accomplish in life, it takes work. That’s the entire premise through incredible life examples from Williams.

[Moses Gunaratnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew absolutely nothing about this dude going in, and came away believing that Roy Williams is one of the greatest celebrities we’ve ever had. Maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole, but I found his honesty to be so refreshing. Even taking the stories with a grain of salt, he seems like a genuinely nice person. This is a book I’d read again and would recommend to anyone!

[Mary-Margaret Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Roy Williams, you'll love this book and when you're finished you'll love Roy Williams even more. He knows grit. He lives grit. What an amazing testimony of tenacity and perseverance. I loved him already, but dadgumit, he's awesome!

[Marcia Bickel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about Coach Roy Williams. His family beginnings and his coaching career at high school to the University of Kansas to UNC.

It's an interesting book. KU and UNC basketball fans should read this one.

[Dave Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a UNC fan, you should definitely read this.

If you're a not UNC fan, you should definitely not
read this.

[Mollie Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, because his background story is very inspirational. He also tells about the decisions he had to make whether easy or hard. (A great book even if you don't like UNC)

[Josh Navey · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can always count on Ol' Roy for a good story.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as I was hoping to. It had some interesting stories in them but it read a bit to like a history chart.

[Todd McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a good book about Roy Williams life. 4+ A

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I really enjoyed it. I didn’t know a lot about Roy Williams before I started to read this. And I’m really glad I did. Great read, interesting man, smart coach and and even better man.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent autobiography.

[Blair Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story for a young coach to draw from and a great book about one of the best college coaches

[Aleiha Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most interesting part was learning more about NCAA teams work. Several life lessons were learned that I continuously look back on.

[Stephen McNett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Starts out slow but gets good throughout

It’s a good book for some people to see into the life of a D1 coach who has had tremendous success.