UNC Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Bill Lam Inspires UMO Audience
October 7, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE, NC — Legendary University of North Carolina head wrestling coach William C. “Bill” Lam brought his message of discipline, perseverance, and faith to the University of Mount Olive this week, where he spoke on the theme “Wrestling with Life.”
Lam, who led the Tar Heels from 1972 to 2003, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in collegiate wrestling. Under his leadership, UNC captured 15 Atlantic Coast Conference titles, earned 14 Top 20 finishes, and placed in the Top 10 at the NCAA Championships five times. Over the course of his career, Lam coached 37 All-Americans, 93 ACC champions, and five NCAA champions, including C.D. Mock, Rob Koll, and three-time national champion T.J. Jaworsky. His coaching accolades include being named ACC Coach of the Year 10 times and NCAA Coach of the Year. He also led UNC’s cross-country team to a conference championship.
A two-time All-American wrestler for the Oklahoma Sooners, Lam set a school record for career victories before beginning his coaching career at Norman High School in Oklahoma. There, he led the Tigers to three runner-up finishes at the state tournament before taking over the UNC program.
Beyond the mat, Lam has built a reputation as a sought-after speaker and leadership consultant. Since 2005, he has served as president of Wrestling with Life, LLC, a firm whose clients include Red Bull, General Motors, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His bestselling book, Overtime: The Three Periods of a Champion and What Comes After, further reflects his philosophy of living with purpose and faith.
Lam’s appearance at UMO was made possible through the invitation of Dr. Tony Franklin, UMO Professor of Sports Management. He was introduced by Barry Joyce, UNC Campus Maintenance Manager and a longtime friend of both Lam and Franklin, underscoring the close-knit connections that brought the event to fruition.
Franklin emphasized the significance of the visit, noting, “Providing our students with opportunities to hear from speakers such as Coach Lam enriches their education in ways that go beyond the classroom. Lam’s experiences as both a world-class coach and a man of faith offered valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and character.”
At UMO, Lam recounted his personal journey growing up under a father who emphasized hard work and success. He talked about his years of coaching top-tier athletes and his transformative decision to embrace his Christian faith. He encouraged students to “dream big, make plans, record progress, and believe.” Quoting his own life motto, Lam said, “Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, either way you will be right.”
He also challenged students to distinguish between temporal and eternal goals, reminding them that true fulfillment comes through Christ. “Believing is receiving,” Lam told the audience, urging them to live with gratitude, prayer, and faith.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by book signings where each student in attendance received a copy of Overtime.
Lam’s visit came on the heels of another major honor. Last week, the University of North Carolina dedicated its new Wrestling Room in Lam’s name, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest coaches and mentors.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. It was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
