OBITUARY: Randy Wiel

Mr. Randy Wiel, age 74, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at his home with is wife, Connie, and son, Zander, by his side after a courageous eight-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Willemstad, Curacao to the late Migielto and Mercedes Vrutaal Wiel. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Physical Education and Education respectively.

Coach Wiel started his athletic career in the 1968 Olympics as a sprinter then in the early 1970’s Pan-Am Games as a swimmer. He played basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels before playing professionally in Holland. He coached the Dutch National Team during the 1992 Olympics and was an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina during their 1993 championship year. Coach Wiel had a coaching career that spanned from 1984 through 2013 taking him from assistant coaching positions in North Carolina to head coach of the men’s basketball team at UNC – Asheville and MTSU and on to various professional teams in Holland, China, and Mexico where he won championships.

Coach Wiel was also a horseman winning national championships on his Paso Fino horses. He was also an accomplished musician playing jazz guitar, trumpet, and piano. He was fluent in six languages.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at https://pancan.org in memory of Coach Wiel.

Coach Wiel is survived by his wife of 39 years, Connie Wiel; children, Udemar Wiel, Gabriella Whiting, and Alexander “Zander” Wiel; siblings, Ygmar Wiel, Mervin Wiel, Eunice Wiel, Vianlette Wiel, Djuric Wiel, and Drusella Maduro; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Urnice Wiel, and a sister, Janella Wiel.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.