Gibbs 'not sure' how to process Williams news
During an afternoon workout, Sterling Gibbs got a text message from a reporter saying that Maryland coach Gary Williams was retiring. The news "definitely came as a shock" to the Terps point guard signee.
“Then Nick Faust called me. He told me the same thing and that it was confirmed by ESPN," Gibbs said Thursday. "He was definitely a great coach. So hopefully they’ll be able to replace him with somebody of his caliber and still be at the top of the ACC.”
Gibbs, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior from Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), said he was still processing the information and planned to talk the news over with his family before making a decision on his future. He called a report that said he would ask out of his letter of intent to Maryland “premature.”
“Right now I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” Gibbs said. “Honestly, it just came as a surprise. When someone mentioned it to me, I honestly just didn’t think it was true. I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do right now.”
Gibbs said he and his mother had a conversation with Terps assistant coach Rob Ehsan on Wednesday, but that he didn’t have any indication that Williams might be considering retirement. The Washington Times reported that Ehsan will take over as interim coach.
“I think he’s a really good guy,” Gibbs said of Ehsan. “He’s a good coach, but right now I’m not sure. I still have to talk it over with my family and just try to make the best decision for myself.”
Comments
How do we let our key recruits learn this through the news?!?! With Jordan gone and Gary deciding to follow, losing key recruits could send us into a tailspin.
We need a big time hire quickly! Open the checkbook KA and bring in a big name who turns this into a bounce up instead!
Posted by: Pat in Catonsville | May 5, 2011 7:23 PM
I love how UMD fans repeatedly make statements such as " open the checkbook" when the football and b'ball teams plays to a half empty stadium and arena! Almost funny... you are not big time UMD...
Posted by: reality check | May 5, 2011 7:36 PM
^^^^^
NC State fan.
Posted by: Al | May 5, 2011 8:49 PM
Gary not only built the program, but, he killed it with his coaching and recruiting. THEN, he finally recruits OK for a year or 2, so what does he do?
He retires at the WORST possible time, kicking the program while it's on the floor.
WHat a total jerk.
Glad he is gone, but, the program is going with it. I personaly think he did this on purpose.
He knew FULL WELL that the recruits would leave too. This is a blatent attempt to kill the program so everyone says "It was best under Gary".
I think he is that petty. I think he is that narcicistic. Jerk,
Posted by: Ryan | May 5, 2011 9:06 PM
Hey Mike, It's fans attitudes like yours that is killing the program. Constantly blasting the coaching staff's, boorish behavior at games, and ignorant postings on the internet makes it harder every year to be a Terp fan.
Posted by: Mike | May 5, 2011 10:02 PM
to all those who dont know anything before the year 2000, gary williams saved and pulled the mayland program out of the depths of len bias' death and ncaa sanctions. the maryland alum took over the program when it was at the worst of the worst and yea not only managed it to be respectable but won a national championship. the man is a legend in my book and will be in the hall of fame. did more for that program than anyone before him. if youre under 30 dont waste our time enough said
Posted by: gza12 | May 5, 2011 10:47 PM
@Ryan: learn something about basketball.
@MattB: what of Zags' report that Gibbs AND Nick Faust are reopening?
Thanks for your commitment to the blog. Must feel like arranging deck chairs on the ... I won't go there.
rockcreek: Not a problem. With Gibbs and Faust, both will wait to see who the new coach is before opening things up. I spoke to Faust's dad and will have something up in a bit. -- Matt
Posted by: rockcreek | May 5, 2011 11:03 PM
Is Bob Knight available?
Posted by: Joe | May 5, 2011 11:29 PM
Gotta agree w/ Mike here. GW is a legend and absolutely belongs in the HOF. Sorry Mike, I'm not 30 but I still remember the days of Booth, Profit, Stokes, and Ekezie. It is a little sketchy though that G Will retires the day afer J Will declares. I hope it's not a sign of bad things to come. Any thoughts who will step up inside? J Williams was a double double machine.
Posted by: db | May 6, 2011 12:16 AM
Amazing how someone who has been screaming for GW to be fired now says he's leaving at the worst possible time and did it just to screw UMD and the fans. How can you flip flop like that? Looks like the narcissist, or should I say narcissistic one is you and that is the correct spelling.
Posted by: terp81 | May 6, 2011 12:33 AM
hey gza 12,
i'm a gary fan but i disagree w. your assessment . Under Lefty, they were a top 10 team year in and year out. Look it up.
Sure, the sanctions were severe, but the program needed only to be rebuilt, not built from scratch.
All Hail Lefty.
Posted by: onceawarrior | May 6, 2011 9:59 AM
Amazing Ryan! You called for GW's firing/retirement over and over again. Now that he does it, he's a jerk. Geesh.
Posted by: loyal terp fan | May 6, 2011 10:47 AM