CHAPEL HILL, NC (WBTV) -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill basketball coach Roy Williams has undergone surgery to have a tumor removed, according to university officials.
Senior Associate AD for Communications Steve Kirschner confirmed to WBTV that Williams underwent a "medical procedure" on Wednesday.
Williams was released from the hospital Thursday and will recover at home, the university said.
"Williams underwent a roboticpartial nephrectomy at UNC Hospitals this morning to remove a tumor from his right kidney," Kirschner said.
Dr. Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, and co-surgeon Dr. Mathew Raynor led the surgical team, which took three and a half hours to complete the operation.
Doctors discovered the presence of the tumor during a physical earlier this month.
Williams, 62, should be able to coach when the Tar Heels begin practice for the 2012-13 season on Saturday, October 13th, doctors say.
He may have a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney at a later date and could be sidelined for a few practices.
"The surgery went well and according to plan," said Dr. Wallen. "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."
Williams, an Asheville native, is entering his 10th season as the head coach of the Tar Heels and 25th as a college head coach.
Williams came to Chapel Hill prior to the 2003-04 season after coaching the Kansas Jayhawks from 1988-2003.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Williams and his family for a full recovery," says UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham.
"Obviously his health and prognosis are my greatest concerns. He's in great hands with the medical staff at UNC Hospitals. The basketball team is also in outstanding hands with Steve Robinson, CB McGrath, Hubert Davis and Joe Holladay."
"As Coach Williams frequently says, he has the best staff in the country and I know they will do an excellent job as Coach Williams recuperates," Cunningham continues. "We will be ready for his return as soon as he is able to do so, but I have stressed to him that he returns only when he has been given the medical approval and he is ready to do that. Hopefully that will be soon and for a long, long time to come."
Embattled chancellor Holden Thorp also sent his wishes to Williams for a speedy recovery.
"All of us at Carolina are thinking about him," Thorp said, "hoping he recovers quickly and looking forward to having him back with us soon."
Over at WFNZ 610 AM The Fan in Charlotte, Taylor Zarzour, co-host of the 'The Drive', says Coach Williams has been a regular guest on his sports talk show.
Zarzour says he was "shocked" by the news.
He says as the day went on, fans weren't as scared as they were when they first heard the news of a tumor.
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