Grand Valley State Athletics Director Tim Selgo announced today the hiring of Mike Williams as the University’s seventh head women’s basketball coach.

“We are thrilled to have Mike Williams back on our GVSU coaching staff as our head women’s basketball coach.,” said Selgo. “Mike has been highly successful at every step in his coaching career, including the integral role he played as an assistant on our 2005-06 national championship team. He is an outstanding teacher of the game and developer of young women in all aspects of their lives. We are excited for the 2015-16 Laker team and the program which we are confident Mike will build under his leadership.”

Williams comes to Grand Valley State after spending the last four years as the head coach at Davenport University where he compiled an overall record of 130-11.

“I am so excited to take over as the head women’s basketball coach at Grand Valley State University and I want to thank Tim Selgo for this opportunity,” said Williams. “This is a unique situation that allows me and my family to remain in West Michigan and return to an outstanding academic and athletic institution. The foundation of success has been built, not only in women’s basketball, but the entire athletic department and I am eager to get started and build on the success and tradition of Grand Valley State Laker women’s basketball,” added Williams.

In addition to a sparkling record of 130-11, Williams guided the Panthers to the NAIA National Tournament four times, including one championship game appearance and two final four berths. A three-time Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honoree, Williams garnered WBCA Regional Coach of the Year honors following the 2014-15 campaign. His 2014-15 squad posted a 32-1 record and led the nation in fewest points allowed per game (48.3) and scoring margin (31.5) while ranking second in defensive field goal percentage (.324).

His 2013-14 team finished with a 34-2 mark and advanced to the NAIA final four, while the 2012-13 squad advanced to the NAIA National Championship game and closed with a 34-3 mark. In his first year at the helm of the Davenport program Williams guided the Panthers to a 30-5 record and a spot in the NAIA sweet 16.

Prior to his four-year stint at Davenport Williams spent four years as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan under then head coach Kevin Borseth. While at Michigan he helped the Wolverines reach new levels in their women’s basketball program highlighted by a third place finish in the Big Ten in 2010-11.

Mike was the top assistant at Grand Valley State under then head coach Dawn Plitzuweit for five years (2002-03 to 2006-07), earning four NCAA Division II postseason berths. The 2005-06 squad claimed the NCAA Division II National Championship with a school-best 33-3 mark, while the 2004-05 team finished with a 28-6 record and a berth in Elite Eight. The Lakers claimed three GLIAC regular season titles, two GLIAC Tournament titles and two NCAA Division II Midwest Regional crowns with Williams on the staff. GVSU compiled a 117-39 (.750) overall record, including a 68-22 (.756) mark in the GLIAC during his tenure.

Williams was responsible for starting the women’s basketball program at Finlandia University (NCAA Division III) in Hancock, Mich. In three seasons as head coach (1999-2002), Williams guided the Lions to a combined record of 44-33. Williams has a wealth of head coaching experience at the high school level, having led Hancock High School’s girls varsity team for 11 seasons (1989-2000). He guided his teams to a combined record of 207-51 (.802), while claiming eight district and four regional championships. Williams also served as head coach of the boy’s varsity team at Hancock for five years, tallying a combined record of 72-36 (.667).

Williams began his coaching career in 1986 as head coach of the girl’s varsity team at Ironwood High School in Ironwood, Mich. He then moved on to Michigan Tech University, where he served as assistant head coach under Kevin Borseth during the 1988-89 season.

http://www.gvsulakers.com/news/2015/6/28/WBB_0628155007.aspx?path=wbball

Photo Courtesy GVSU Athletics

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