Sunday, March 28, 2010

La Salle hires Howard University Grad as women's basketball coach

Prince George's County, Maryland native Jeff Williams has been named the head women's basketball coach at La Salle University.

PHILADELPHIA - Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Williams, who spent the past seven seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, including the last four as the Associate Head Coach, has been named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at La Salle University, Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Brennan announced. Williams helped guide the Panthers to postseason appearances in the past five seasons, including three straight NCAA Tournament trips with Sweet Sixteen showings in 2008 and 2009. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at 1 PM in the Hayman Center mezzanine.

"I am very excited to begin my head coaching career at La Salle University," Williams said. "I hope to create an exciting environment for our student-athletes. I know it will be a challenge to compete in the Atlantic 10, which boast some of the top coaches and programs in the country. But my vision is to bring La Salle to national prominence. I feel that I have the unwavering support of La Salle President Brother Michael McGinniss, and Director of Athletics, Dr. Tom Brennan. This is the beginning of a new era for La Salle women's basketball and I'm up to the challenge."

Williams has over 20 years of college coaching experience, including the last 16 as a women's basketball coach at Howard (1995-2000), Georgia Tech (2001-03) and Pittsburgh (2003-10). He recruited or coached six players who reached the WNBA, including Pitt All-American Shavonte Zellous, who was named to the WNBA all-rookie team in 2009. Three of his recruiting classes have been ranked in the top 15 nationally and his teams have reached seven NCAA and three WNIT Tournaments.

The 1987 Howard University graduate with a degree in therapeutic recreation, Williams also was an assistant coach for the men's teams at George Mason (1989-93) and South Carolina State (1987-89). As an assistant coach at Howard University and recruiting coordinator, he helped lead the team to four MEAC titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His recruiting class during the 1997-98 season was ranked 12th best in the nation..

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