Rhode Island College has named Kara Williamson as its new head women’s basketball coach. She replaces Marcus Reilly who stepped down in June after four years at the helm to become an assistant at URI.

Williamson spent the past three seasons (2009-12) as an assistant coach at Southern New Hampshire University. In 2011-12, SNHU won its most games (19) since 1989-90 as the Penmen went 19-10. SNHU reached the Northeast-10 quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons and the Penmen had a total of five NE-10 All-Conference selections.

Williamson arrived at SNHU after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons at American International College in Springfield, Mass., a member of the Northeast-10 along with SNHU. While there, she helped lead the Yellow Jackets to a two-year record of 38-26. In 2008-09, AIC posted a 21-13 record, reached the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament and also reached the Northeast-10 semifinals.

Williamson spent the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons as an assistant coach at Western New England University in Springfield. Over her two seasons on the WNEU staff, the Golden Bears posted a combined 37-22 record, including a 21-7 mark and a semifinal appearance in the ECAC Division III New England Championship in 2005-06. The 21 victories established a school record.

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