To the editor:

I am waiting with the rest of my fellow Jayhawks to have Coach Williams tell the outside world that there is no place like home. Home being the best place on earth, Lawrence, Kansas. I know that he grew up and went to school in North Carolina but with what he has done to shepherd the Jayhawk brand, he is one of us, always will be.

I am proud to have a group of men to hold up as an example to my kids that hard work, honesty, integrity and loyalty are qualities that produce winners — winners on and off the court. I am proud that there is an example of discipline and organization dedicated to multiple goals (not just winning) in my hometown. I am proud that basketball teaches us that life isn’t always fair and that good guys might not always win the championship, but the effort and habits developed in trying to attain that goal are worthy of cheering forever.

I had the good fortune of playing basketball for one of the best men I’ve ever met, Bob Frederick, and if he says Coach Williams is a friend, then Coach must be the real deal. I tell my kids that you never put a human on a pedestal because they are human and have flaws that will eventually be exposed. I will admit that Coach Williams’ program is one that I hold as an example of excellence in my hometown.

Whatever Coach chooses to do in the future, it can’t get any better than Kansas University. I hope you continue to lead the Jayhawks into the future. Who knows maybe fate will smile upon us with the championship you deserve.

Thank you for all the thrills and hoping to have many more.

Joe B. Jones,

Lawrence