Piedmont International’s Director of Athletics Steve Condon has named Wilbert (Willie) Williams Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Williams comes to the Bruins from Nebraska Christian College, where he served as the Head Men’s coach since 2016.
Williams has had great success with his previous programs in the NCCAA. At Nebraska Christian, his team held a 32-17 NCCAA record and ranked in the top 8 for scoring defense, defensive field goal percentage, and defensive rebounding. The program qualified for the NCCAA National Tournament two years in a row (2019 & 2020).
Willie has the ability to recruit and cultivate a talented caliber of athlete. He has produced three All-Americans, one NCCAA Central Region Player of the Year, 11 All-Region Players, three Honorable Mentioned, and five Players of the Week.
Before his stint at NCC, Williams served as the Head Coach at Grace University for seven years. Willie had three Regional Champion and National qualifying teams and was named Central Region Coach of the Year all three years. Grace had a 61-17 NCCAA record during his time.
“After an international search that yielded over 200 applicants, we are blessed to have the honor of hiring Willie Williams from Nebraska Christian as PIU’s next men’s basketball coach,” stated Director of Athletics Steve Condon. “Willie is a former national champion, Director of Athletics and Assistant Professor at two universities. A winner at everything he attempts, Williams is highly respected for his character and passion for recruiting and retaining student-athletes. He has the ability to take PIU’s program to the top of our division, as well as move us to the next level of competition. Willie and his beautiful family will represent PIU in the area and region with class and excellence. His technical and tactical philosophy and execution provided a track record of success at the national level at his two universities over the last ten years. Williams’s love of the Lord, energy, and desire to perform beyond measured expectations provided an immediate connection to our university family and our team members. We thank the committee for their great work with a highly competitive pool of candidates. We are blessed to have Willie join us and see a bright future for PIU men’s basketball.”
“My family and I are extremely excited to join the Bruin Nation!” shared Williams. “I want to thank President Dr. Petitt, Athletic Director Dr. Condon, and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity. My staff and I are excited to build relationships with the current student-athletes, the campus community, and the local Winston-Salem community. The vision and mission of PIU as an Institution and leader in Christian Higher Education holds tremendous value. As the Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball Program at PIU, I want to build a culture of spiritual growth, academic excellence, athletic achievements, and community engagement. We want to be Champions in each of these areas of our lives! I’m excited to get started!”
Willie played basketball at both Nebraska Christian College and Grace University. He had great success as a team captain being awarded MCCC first-team All-Conference, conference tournament champion, NCCAA scholar-athlete All-American, second-team All-Region, Central Region and National champion. Willams earned his degree in Secondary Education from Grace before earning his Masters in Education Curriculum from Peru State College and Masters in Human Performance and Physical Education with an emphasis on coaching from Adam State University.
Williams, originally from Nebraska, will relocate to North Carolina with his wife Kendra and four children, Trey, Carter, Drake, and Ariah.
Piedmont International names Williams as new Head Basketball Coach
Photo Courtesy Piedmont International Athletics
