Gary Williams retires

Maryland’s men’s basketball coach steps down after 22 seasons at his alma mater with a program-record 461 wins (668 overall for his career) and the 2002 national championship.

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An emotional Gary Williams is greeted by chants of 'Gary, Gary' as he makes his entrance to Comcast Center to formally announce his retirement from coaching.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Gary Williams has a seat on the dais, raised above the basketball court that will soon bear his name at Comcast Center.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Gary Williams is flanked by university president Wallace D. Loh during Friday's retirement announcent. Loh expressed unequivocal praise and admiration for Williams's achievements and legacy at Maryland.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

The headline says it all: The Diamondback, the student newspaper at the University of Maryland, leads with the story of the day.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Maryland fans lean back to watch a video tribute to Gary Williams on the Comcast Center scoreboard.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Athletic Director Kevin Anderson, right, and Gary Williams will be working together as Williams agrees to stay on at Maryland as an assistant athletic director.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Gary Williams addresses the media, fans, colleagues and former players as he gives thanks and tells a few stories before stepping down as basketball coach for good.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

A University of Maryland fan echoes the sentiments of everyone in attendance at Coach Gary Williams's retirement ceremony at Comcast Center.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Gary Williams, with assistant coach Billy Hahn late in a loss to Santa Clara in the 1996 NCAA tournament, never hid his emotions on the sideline.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams counsels center Obinna Ekezie during an exhibition game before the 1996-97 season.

Michael Lutzky / For The Washington Post

Gary Williams talks with his bench, including center Mike Mardesich, during a 1998 NCAA tournament victory over Utah State.

Gary Williams at the beginning of a news conference after a loss to Arizona in the 1998 Sweet 16.

Michael J. Caulfield / Associated Press

Gary Williams and his assistant coaches argue a call during a win over Illinois in 1999.

Michael Lutzky / The Washington Post

Gary Williams at practice during the 1999 season. He will retire with an overall record of 668-380 in 33 seasons, including 461-252 at Maryland.

Gerald Martineau / The Washington Post

Gary Williams, shown in a win over Florida State in March 2000, led the Terrapins to 14 NCAA tournament apperances, 7 appearances in the Sweet 16, 2 Final Four berths and the 2002 national championship.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams with Juan Dixon, the program's all-time leading scorer, in March 2000.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Willliams exhorts his players in a game against Georgia State in the second round of the 2001 NCAA tournament, when Maryland made the first of consecutive trips to the Final Four.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams signs autographs at a practice session during the 2001 NCAA tournament.

Joel Richardson / The Washington Post

Gary Williams saltues the fans at a rally at Cole Field House before the Terrapins traveled to the 2001 Final Four.

Robert A. Reeder / The Washington Post

Gary Williams and the Terrapins are greeted by fans on their return to campus after the 2001 Final Four.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Gary Williams gives his trademark fist pump to the student section as he walks on the Cole Field House court before Maryland's victory over No. 1 Duke on Feb. 17, 2002.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams has a word with Juan Dixon during an 87-57 victory over Wisconsin in the second round of the 2002 NCAA tournament.

Joel Richardson / The Washington Post

Gary Williams encourages his team in the second half of a 78-68 win over Kentucky in the 2002 Sweet 16.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams and the Terrapins huddle up before a 2002 first-round NCAA game vs. Siena.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams walks a gantlet of autograph-seeking fans as he leaves the practice court during the 2002 NCAA tournament.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams celebrates with staff and players, including Juan Dixon, right, after Maryland defeated Indiana, 64-52, to win the 2002 national championship, the program's first.

Ryan McKee

Juan Dixon, who would be named Most Outstanding Player of the 2002 tournament, releases a three-pointer during the Terrapins' 97-88 win over Kansas in the Final Four.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams encourages his team late in second half action of the 2002 Maryland-Kansas national semifinal game.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams tries to rally his team during a loss to Duke in 2004.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams during the closing seconds of a win over Virginia in 2004.

Nick Wass / Associated Press

Gary Williams hugs Mike Jones after Maryland defeated Duke, 95-87, to win the 2004 ACC tournament, Williams's only conference tournament title as Terrapins coach.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams cuts down the net after a win over Virginia on March 3, 2002, in the 637th and final Maryland game to be played at Cole Field House.

Nick Wass / Associated Press

Gary Williams before a victory over Virginia on Feb. 7, 2006, his 349th at Maryland to pass Lefty Driesell as the program's all-time winningest coach.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams is congratulated by Virginia Coach Dave Leitao after his 349th win at Maryland.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Former Maryland coach Lefty Driesell presents Gary Williams with a gift ball during a ceremony marking Williams's record for wins as the program's caoch.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Gary Williams, with Parrish Brown before an NCAA tournament game in 2007, told The Post's John Feinstein, “I don’t want to still be trying to coach when I can’t even stand up and get off the bench."

Stephan Savoia / Associated Press

Gary Williams gathers his players during a timeout late in a loss to Butler in the second round of the 2007 NCAA tournament.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams keeps an eye on the action in 2008.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Gary Williams chats with Corey Dixon, 2, the son of former star player Juan Dixon, while his dad plays in an alumni game at Comcast Center in 2010.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Gary Williams greets his former Maryland teammate Billy Jones, who in 1965 became the first African American basketball player in the ACC, during Williams's induction into the Baltimore Sports Hall of Legends in September 2010.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

“How many people do the same thing for 43 years?" Gary Williams told The Post's John Feinstein. "I’m sad I won’t be a part of it any more the way I have been and won’t have the relationships I’ve had with the players. But I’m looking forward to not always worrying about the next game, the next recruit, the next season."

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

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