Garyland.
Perhaps the most significant sign that a college coach has permanently impacted the basketball program he or she directed is getting home court named after them. That and getting special edition shoes.
Retired University of Maryland coach Gary Williams is being honored with both tomorrow night. Terps outfitter and neighbor Under Armour created unique makeups of three marquee UA’s sneaks – Micro G Bloodline, Micro G Juke and Micro G Funk – to celebrate the floor at Maryland’s Comcast Center being dedicated as Gary Williams Court and to honor Williams’s role in supporting Under Armour.
Each shoe displays the classic black, red and gold Maryland color combo. The Bloodline boasts Williams’s signature on the midfoot strap and Maryland state flag design. The Juke interprets the colorway while featuring his signature. Ditto for the Funk. With Gary in their hearts and on their feet, the Terps will wear the Bloodline and Juke against visiting Duke tomorrow night at 9pm EST on ESPN, while the very red Funk is encased in a presentation box for Williams.
Gary became head coach of the Terps in 1989 and drove the program until retiring after the 2011 season. A 2002 national title win saw the crazed heights of “Garyland”, the contingency of Terp basketball faithful who revered him every bit as much as Dukies reverence Coach K in “Krzyzewskiville”. He compiled a 452-242 (.651) record at Maryland and a 668-380 (.637) career coaching record, making him one of the most successful college coaches ever.
