Williams Undergoes Surgery to Have Tumor Removed

Posted on Sept. 19, 2012

Basketball Coach Roy Williams ’72 underwent a robotic surgical procedure at UNC Hospitals Wednesday morning to remove a tumor from his right kidney.

Dr. Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, and co-surgeon Dr. Mathew Raynor led the surgical team, which took three and a half hours to complete the operation. Doctors discovered the presence of the tumor during a physical earlier this month.

The tumor was found to be non-cancerous.

Wallen said Williams, 62, should be able to coach when the Tar Heels begin practice for the 2012-13 season on Saturday, Oct. 13. Williams may have a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney at a later date and could be sidelined for a few practices.

“The surgery went well and according to plan,” Wallen said. “Coach Williams did great. I fully expect him to coach this season and for years to come. He could miss some practice time if we perform another procedure sometime in October, but he would be able to resume his coaching duties prior to the start of the regular season.”

Williams is entering his 10th season as the head coach of the Tar Heels and his 25th as a college head coach. He is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and has led Carolina to national championships in 2005 and 2009.

The Asheville native has directed teams at Kansas and UNC to a record of 675-169. His winning percentage of .800 is the fourth highest in the history of college basketball and No. 1 among active coaches.

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