Oct. 23
There's plenty to be happy about at Maryland. After winning the national championship last season, the Terps have a brand-new building to enjoy -- and the Comcast Center is something special.

More than $100 million was spent on the facility, and it's one of the best in the nation. It was important for the school to remember the students, who will have great seats -- more than 4,000 in the lower section near the court. That will give the Terps a special home-court advantage.

	Gary Williams coached his alma mater, Maryland, to the national title last season.

That said, there's something else for the Terps' fans to be ecstatic about: Coach Gary Williams will be on the Maryland sidelines for the rest of his career.

Williams will remain at his alma mater after signing a seven-year contract last year, followed by a new deal with incentives that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the nation at more than $1.3 million a year (now I know where to call if I need a quick loan, baby!).

One key thing about Williams -- he pours his heart and soul into every possession as a coach. He's so proud to be at his alma mater, where he played point guard. He was a three-year starter from 1965-68 and served as the Terps' captain as a senior. Williams must be excited to be in great shape financially, but he's especially excited that he's representing his alma mater.

His track record has been amazing, and he's enjoyed success in the top conferences. Williams led Boston College of the Big East to a pair of Sweet Sixteens in a four-year span. He had three solid seasons at Ohio State of the Big Ten. Williams bought excitement to Buckeye land when many thought the transition from East to Midwest would be difficult, including me! He also won 45 games in two years at American at the start of his college coaching career.

Then came his run at Maryland. There was turmoil when he first arrived, with the NCAA sanctions. But he rolled up his sleeves, along with his staff. Williams is one of seven coaches to have a current streak of nine or more consecutive NCAA tourney trips. He's one of six coaches to make six Sweet Sixteen trips in the past nine years. That's consistency, baby!

Maryland has won 20 or more games in seven of the past eight seasons under Williams. The Terps won the ACC regular-season title last season, going 15-1, and then claimed the national championship behind Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Chris Wilcox.

At every practice session, Williams coaches like it's his first.

Williams is a workaholic, and basketball is his No. 1 priority in life -- he eats, drinks and sleeps it, baby! It becomes contagious with everyone involved in the program, from the players to the coaching staff, from the fans to the cheerleaders. Everyone is intense because of their leader's dedication.

Whenever I watch him at practice, Williams looks like a rookie coach at work, trying to prove himself to his team. At every practice session, he coaches like it's his first. It looks like he's at his first high school practice in New Jersey, all those years ago. You have to respect and admire him for that approach. You have to appreciate his effort.

There will be more celebrations at Maryland with the opening of the new Comcast Center. Congratulations, Mr. Williams! He'll continue to be the leader, bringing further success to the Maryland program.