Director of Athletics Brad Jones has officially announced Camille Williams will become the new head coach of the Academy of Art University women’s basketball program. A NCAA Division I coach for 17 seasons, Williams’ diverse background has seen her develop women’s basketball student-athletes at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Nevada, Reno, and most recently the University of San Francisco.
“I’m elated about this opportunity to lead the ART U women’s basketball program,” said Williams. “I am truly thankful to Brad Jones and all the members of the search committee. This comes at the perfect time and place for me; being in San Francisco and surrounded by dedicated people who are committed to betterment of the student-athlete experience with the values of the athletic department’s mission and goals. I look forward to being a part of the Academy of Art’s staff who operate as a family and share in each other’s success.”
Director of basketball operations at USF, Williams was reunited with life-long friend, former high school teammate, and current head coach Molly Goodenbour prior to the team’s 2017-18 campaign. En route to finishing with a winning record both overall and in the West Coast Conference, the Dons upset higher-seeded Loyola Marymount in the first round, but were later bested by the top seed in Gonzaga. USF had three players selected to the 2017-18 All-WCC Team including First Team recipient Anna Seilund.
“We’re excited to have Camille on board,” said Jones. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. We look forward to her leading our program to continued success in the future.”
Prior to the University of San Francisco, Williams spent nine seasons (2008-2017) with the Nevada women’s basketball program, four of which were spent as an associate head coach. The Wolf Pack achieved their single-season wins record (22) in 2010-11, a year that culminated with their first postseason win at Nevada in the 2011 Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Under Williams’ guidance as her position coach, two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Mimi Mungedi was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock and Tahnee Robinson, a 2010 AAU Sullivan Award semi-finalist, was chosen with the 31st pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.
“Camille is an outstanding hire for the Academy of Art,” said Nevada head coach emeritus Jane Albright. “Her enthusiasm, work ethic, knowledge of the game, character, and skill in developing players will give her a great advantage in building a championship program. Camille is a player’s coach and will also be a great addition to the program and San Francisco community.”
Before Nevada, Williams spent three seasons (2005-2008) as an assistant coach at UC Santa Barbara. During her time with the Gauchos, she assisted with guard and post player development and defense, served as the co-recruiting coordinator, and oversaw UCSB’s academic development. Among the highlights with Williams’ on the sidelines was the Gauchos’ 13th Big West Conference Championship and advancement to the NCAA Tournament in 2007-08. She served as the lead contact in the recruitment of a pair of McDonald’s All-American Nominees.
From 2000-2005, Williams served as an assistant coach at UC Berkeley. While with the Bears, she recruited the sixth-ranked recruiting class in the nation in 2005 as rated by the Blue Star Index which included two McDonald’s All-Americans and a WBCA All-American. While at Cal, she was also the academic coordinator, strength and conditioning liaison, film exchange director, and director of team camps. She helped her team attain at least a 3.0 GPA for two-and-a-half years.
“I’m grateful for everyone who has contributed to my career, from Dr. Anthony Pappas, a superior teacher of basketball as my high school coach, to this past season learning from my high school teammate and USF head coach, Molly Goodenbour,” said Williams. “Everyone in between, Caren Horstmeyer, Mark French, and Jane Albright, were all pioneers in their own way including. Those coaches and countless friends in the business were all very instrumental in my development, knowledge, and growth in the women’s basketball industry. I extend great appreciation for my family, closest friends, and church family for being steadfast in their support as I chase my dreams and passion to coach.”
Williams was a notable student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin as a basketball player and track & field competitor. She finished her basketball career with the Badgers ranked in the top 15 in six categories and served as a co-captain of her basketball team in 1995 and in track & field in 1996. She played in two NCAA Tournaments as a player and was named to the Big Ten All-Star Team in 1993. She received All-America recognition in the high jump during the 1995 and 1996 outdoor seasons and competed in the 1996 Olympic Trials in Atlanta, GA.
In addition to her coaching and athletic experience, Williams spent time as a women’s basketball color analyst for Wisconsin’s women’s basketball games on FOX Sports Network and WHA-TV from 1996-2000. She was also involved in several community outreach programs including Meals on Wheels, the Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from the University of Wisconsin in 1996. She then received her master’s in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2012.
“I couldn’t have had a better journey to get to this point and will work relentlessly to honor my position as head coach,” said Williams. “My focus at Academy of Art will be dedicated to recruiting young student-athletes committed to competing at a high level in the PacWest Conference and who want to demonstrate leadership off the court through their education and involvement in the community. I feel blessed and honored to be at Academy of Art University.”
Williams will begin in her role on March 16, 2018.
Photo Courtesy Art U Athletics
Tagged with: DII Pac West
