Former Bearcat JaQuon Parker and longtime athletic trainer Robb Williams have joined the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball staff, head coach Mick Cronin has announced.
Parker, who served as an undergraduate assistant coach during the spring semester last season, will work as assistant director of student-athlete development. Williams is hired as the athletics department’s head athletic trainer.
Parker played four seasons (2010-13) for Cincinnati, helping lead the Bearcats to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2012 Sweet 16. A hard-nosed and determined player, Parker averaged 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds during his senior season while leading all BIG EAST Conference guards (and ranking 12th nationally) in offensive rebounds.
The Suffolk, Virginia native becomes Cronin’s first UC player to join his Bearcats coaching staff. Parker joins T.J. Wolf as Cronin-coached players currently on the UC staff. Wolf played for Cronin at Murray State University and serves as video coordinator.
“It’s very special for me to have two former players now on staff,” Cronin said. “JaQuon is a tremendous addition. He’s not too far removed from his college experience and will do a great job of interacting with our players.
“Robb has a wealth of experience and expertise in athletic training and will be an immediate benefit to our program,” Cronin said. “We’re happy he’s a part of our team.”
Williams’ experience spans 36 years in athletic training. He previously has served as head athletic trainer at Liberty University, Wyoming and Villanova. He recently worked at St. Rita’s Medical Center/Orthopedic Institute of Ohio as an athletic trainer and physician extender.
A past president of the Mountain West Conference Sports Medicine Society while at Wyoming, Williams earned staff of the year and athletic trainer of the year accolades in 2008.
Williams has served as an athletic trainer at three Olympic Games and also has spent 26 years as an associate in the Justin® sports medicine program in professional rodeo. A Cincinnati native and 1978 Oak Hills High School graduate, Williams earned his undergraduate degree in education at Ohio State in 1982 and his master’s degree in community health at UC in 1984.
Williams also will work with the UC men’s golf program.
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