Roy Williams tells Carolina pitchers what to throw

Scott Forbes and Roy Williams embrace in Carolina's dugout after the Tar Heels beat Southern California. — Roy Williams, seen here celebrating with head baseball coach Scott Forbes after the Tar Heels clinched a trip to the College World Series, has been the voice of the team's PitchCom system for two years. (GoHeels/Isabel Swindall)

As Carolina’s pitching staff powered the program to its 13th College World Series appearance, they were guided by a Hall of Fame voice.

Former men’s basketball coach Roy Williams, who led the Tar Heels to three national championships, is the voice of Carolina’s PitchCom, the wireless communication system assistant coach Bryant Gaines uses to relay pitch calls and locations.

The instantly recognizable voice has been there all season, one of the best in the program’s history. The Tar Heels reached the national championship series before falling to University of Oklahoma in Omaha, Nebraska.

“When you’re on the mound, in a big situation, and you have a guy who’s had a lot of success in your ear, it can only lead you to more success,” said junior pitcher Boston Flannery.

Gaines was the first voice for the system in 2024 but wondered if there was a more interesting option. When head coach Scott Forbes asked Williams for his help, he was more than happy to pitch in. He recorded all the calls and locations — such as “fastball up high” and “change-up down low” — before the 2025 season.

“I know it’s a very small thing, but it’s a big thing for me, because of my love for North Carolina baseball,” Williams told The News & Observer earlier this month. “And I don’t take any credit, because they get to call the pitches. It’s just my voice is all it is.”

Bryant Gaines sits in the dugout during a Carolina baseball game.

Bryant Gaines, now in his seventh season as Carolina’s pitching coach, first suggested Michael Jordan as voice of the team’s PitchCom. That was a long shot, but Roy Williams was willing to help. (Ainsley E. Fauth/GoHeels)

Gaines presses a button to send the calls directly to players on the field through devices in their caps, replacing hand signals that could be lost in translation or stolen by opponents.

“It moves the game along a lot faster,” Gaines said. “With the pitch clock and different regulations we’re under now, it expedites the entire process.”

The Tar Heels were in the College World Series for the second time in three years, the ninth since 2006. The pitching staff played a vital part in the program’s success.

Carolina led the Atlantic Coast Conference in earned-run average for the past two years and currently has three pitchers in the top 10 in the league. Caden Glauber was Perfect Game’s co-Freshman Pitcher of the Year, one of college baseball’s top awards.

“We have a tremendous amount of leadership with our upperclassmen,” Gaines said. “They’re not content with just winning a game or winning a series. It’s always, ‘OK, what do we need to do to get a little bit better tomorrow?’ And that’s what they’ve been able to do the entire year, which is why I think we keep playing well.”

Boston Flannery pitches during a Carolina baseball game.

Boston Flannery is part of a pitching staff that has led the ACC in earned-run average for the second straight year. (GoHeels)

Williams is not just a voice in the pitchers’ ears. He’s also a big fan. He was in the Boshamer Stadium stands, as was head football coach Bill Belichick, during the Super Regionals, when Carolina defeated the University of Southern California and clinched its College World Series berth.

The Diamond Heels have other notable supporters, too. During Carolina’s victory against West Virginia on Sunday, television cameras panned to show head men’s basketball coach Michael Malone, director of basketball operations Eric Hoots and country musician Eric Church cheering on the team.

“You have some of these prolific names who don’t have to come all the way to Omaha to support us. But they come because this whole place is family-oriented,” Flannery said.

Fans cheer on the Tar Heels as they leave the hotel in Omaha.

Carolina fans have turned out in droves to support the team in Omaha. (Ainsley E. Fauth/GoHeels)

Forbes’ connection with Williams is what made the PitchCom opportunity come to life. If all goes to plan, the Tar Heels will hear Williams’ voice right before they hoist a trophy.

“At North Carolina, you have a unique opportunity to be around people that want to be great at whatever they’re doing, whether it be a particular sport or academics,” Gaines said. “There’s so much excellence around that you can’t help but want to be a part of it.”