Legendary UNC basketball coach helps forgive $10 million in debt for Helene survivors
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A legendary UNC basketball coach is helping wipe out $10 million in debt for survivors of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
Roy Williams, who led the Tar Heels to three national championships, partnered with Verizon and ForgiveCo to eliminate medical, financial and other forms of debt for 6,500 people in the western part of the state.
Williams will be the one to call the families and tell them about the debt clearance.
“Verizon’s random acts of kindness will lift up thousands of North Carolinians that were left vulnerable to Hurricane Helene’s devastation,” the Basketball Hall of Fame coach said. “These are challenging times, but I’ve seen the strength and resilience of this community…It’s a privilege to share this message of hope with the incredible people of North Carolina.”
Helene left behind a wide path of destruction as it decimated homes and towns, leaving countless families without a place to stay and 104 people dead in North Carolina alone. The damage totaled an estimated $53 billion in damage, which made it the most destructive hurricane in state history.
A native of Asheville, Williams coached at the University of North Carolina from 2003 until his retirement in 2021. He took the Tar Heels to five Final Fours and finished his UNC career with the second-most wins in program history, trailing only his own college coach and fellow Hall of Famer Dean Smith.
Prior to his days as Carolina’s head coach, the 74-year-old held the same role at Kansas. His 903 combined wins are the third-most of all time, behind Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim, respectively.
Even after his retirement, Williams often attends Tar Heels basketball games and was recently spotted talking with new North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick.
