Brooks Donald Williams, who spent the last nine years as head coach at McNeese State University, has been added to the Alabama women’s basketball staff as an assistant, head coach Kristy Curry announced on Thursday.
“I have watched Brooks since she was a high school athlete, division I assistant and now a nine year division I head coach and have had great respect and admiration for her character, work ethic and passion for the student athlete,” said Curry. “She, along with the rest of our staff, brings NCAA tournament experience and a tremendous skill set to all facets of our program from recruiting, to on-court development and in-game situations and will be able to relate to our student-athletes in a unique way. We are thrilled to have Brooks and her husband Tyler join our basketball family as we continue to turn the Tide.”
Williams, the 2011 Southland Conference Coach of the Year and the Cowgirls’ all-time winningest coach with 161 victories, took over a program that had not produced a winning record in nearly 10 years and guided McNeese to six consecutive postseason appearances, two of which were in the NCAA tournament. She led the Cowgirls to four 20-win seasons in the last six years and the Southland Conference Championship in 2011 and 2012.
“First of all, I am so thankful for my time at McNeese,” said Williams. “McNeese has been an incredible home for Tyler and me the last nine years. We have special memories from the Cowgirl basketball program that will certainly last a lifetime. However, I am thrilled about the new journey ahead at The University of Alabama. Coach Kristy Curry is a longtime friend and mentor, and I am honored to have this opportunity to work alongside of her. She is one of the best in our business, and I believe great things are in store for her team and staff in the near future and I am eager to be a part of it.”
Under her watch, McNeese had 18 All-Southland Conference selections, eight all-tournament team honorees, including a pair of Southland Conference Tournament MVPs and one Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year. Her student-athletes have been equally successful in the classroom, garnering four Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year awards and 10 all-academic team selections. In addition, Williams’ squads have a 100 percent graduation rate.
Like Curry, Williams was instrumental in growing the women’s basketball fan base and made it a priority to get out in the Lake Charles community. Since 2010, attendance at home games more than tripled, and on Dec. 16, 2011, the Cowgirls had a top-10 crowd on hand to watch their game against LSU. Williams and her teams participated in a variety of community service activities including Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society Walk, Toys for Tots and the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk, just to name a few.
In 2014, senior Netanya Jones was one of only 10 to receive national recognition with a spot on the Allstate/WBCA Good Works Team. Williams has also been personally recognized for her efforts in the community as she received the President’s Award for outstanding community service from McNeese in 2013 and was also recognized by Toys for Tots Southwest Louisiana in 2010.
Prior to taking over at McNeese in 2007, Williams served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Miss for three seasons. Other coaching stops include Memphis (2003-04), St. Thomas More High School (2003), Arkansas-Little Rock (2000-03), AAU Mississippi Pride (2000) and AAU Acadiana Stars (1995-99).
Williams graduated from Mississippi State in 2000 with a degree from the College of Education where she majored in sport communication. She was a member of the women’s basketball program, however her Lady Bulldog career was cut short due to injuries. The Jennings, La., native is married to Tyler Williams.
http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040716aaa.html
Photo Courtesy Alabama Athletics
Tagged with: Alabama Brooks Donald-Williams McNeese State SEC
