Roy Williams Surgery: UNC Coach Has Kidney Tumor Removed

The University of North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams was recovering from surgery Wednesday evening following a 3 1/2 operation to have a tumor removed from his right kidney.

The school announced that Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, and co-surgeon Mathew Raynor performed the operation on Williams and added that the longtime Tar Heel coach could possibly have a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney at a later date.

“The surgery went well and according to plan,” Wallen said in a statement. “Coach Williams did great. I fully expect him to coach this season and for years to come. He could miss some practice time if we perform another procedure sometime in October, but he would be able to resume his coaching duties prior to the start of the regular season.”

According to ESPN, doctors discovered the tumor during a physical earlier this month. While the severity of the mass that was removed is unknown, UNC spokesman Matt Bowers said test results would be back in about a week.

Though it is currently unclear exactly how much time the 62-year-old Williams will miss due to the surgery, North Carolina team members are confident that their coach will recover quickly.

“My assumption is he will be back for practice,” junior guard Reggie Bullock said. “I just know this is the game he loves and he’d do anything to be here with us.”

Williams, who is set to begin his 10th season with UNC on November 9, has led the Tar Heels to a 257-68 (.793) record with two national championships (2005, 2009).

ESPN has more on Roy Williams’ successful kidney surgery in the clip below: