Back in Asheville, as his family celebrates Christmas, Scott Williams looks at his father and can’t help but wonder how much longer he’ll continue to coach. He said his mother, Wanda, has been trying to get Roy to retire for the last five years but hasn’t had any luck.
“He’s doing all he can to fight Father Time,” Scott said, “but it’s an uphill battle.”
Even before Roy developed flu-like symptoms, Scott said he could sense a change in his dad.
“He’s just worn down,” Scott said. “You can see it in his look and his demeanor and his attitude. It’s tough when your emotional and mental state is in such disarray that it affects your physical being. But that’s been the obvious thing. It’s draining on him.
“The urge is to tell him, ‘You’re no spring chicken. You need to take some time off.’”
Deep down, though, Scott knows it wouldn’t do any good. Despite all of the recent hardships, his father is as competitive and motivated as ever.
Williams is working out with North Carolina’s strength coach nearly five days a week—dumbbells, ropes, push-ups, sit-ups, the works—and running between 3.5 and five miles each afternoon.
Even if it’s temporary, Williams said the exercise brightens his mood. As the Hairston situation fades and the season moves on, Williams hopes the worst is behind him. Things will only get better from here.
“They’ve got to,” he said softly. “They’ve got to.”
