Roger Williams Hired as Pitching Coach
July 17, 2006 | Baseball
July 17, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Roger Williams, among the elite pitching coaches in college baseball, has become the newest member of the University of Louisville's coaching staff.
Williams, having just helped guide Georgia to the College World Series in Omaha, joins hitting coach Chris Lemonis on head coach Dan McDonnell's staff.
"We just hit the jackpot," said McDonnell.
"Roger Williams is one of the most respected pitching coaches in the country. He has made his mark with a distinguished playing and coaching career, and his reputation is one of integrity and desire."
Prior to his stint in Athens, Williams tutored the pitchers at his alma mater, North Carolina for 11 seasons. During his 15 years as an assistant coach, he has watched 32 of his pitchers continue their career in professional baseball. During his 18 seasons in NCAA baseball as a player and assistant, his teams have averaged just over 39 wins per season.
"I have known Roger for 14 years and always been impressed with his pitching staffs, but who he is as a person is what makes him a star," McDonnell added.
With three of his former pitchers (UGA's Brooks Brown and UNC's Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard) tabbed in the first round of the 2006 draft, he has had seven pupils picked in the first two rounds.
Among the Bulldogs he worked with in his only season at UGA, Brown doubled his win total from four in 2005 to eight in 2006 and lowered his opponents batting average from .318 to .242 under Williams. Sophomore closer Joshua Fields lowered his ERA from 7.00 to a minuscule 1.80, adding a school record-tying 15 saves while earning All- American honors. Weekend starters Rip Warren and Mickey Westfal combined to win four games during the 2005 slate, but under Williams they won a combined 15 games, helping the team go 47-23 and advance to Omaha. Five freshman Bulldog hurlers also saw innings during the 2006 slate, posting a combined 17-6 mark, paced by eight-game winner and freshman All-American Nathan Moreau.
In Williams' final season with the Tarheels, the team ranked 10th in the nation in ERA (3.17) and advanced to their fourth straight regional. That 2005 staff posted seven shutouts, tying the school mark established during the 2000 season.
The 2006 UNC staff that Williams helped develop during his three seasons prior, was one of the nation's elite, producing 2006 first rounders Bard and Miller. Miller earned the Roger Clemens Award, college baseball's equivalent of the Cy Young, was Baseball America National Player of the Year and made All-American honors from every major national outlet. Bard and Miller earned freshman All-American honors in 2004 with Bard being named the ACC Freshman of the Year. In 2005, Miller went 8-4 with a 2.98 ERA while sophomore Robert Woodard led the Tar Heels going 8-0 with a 2.11 ERA. Sophomore closer Matt Danford was second in the ACC in ERA at 1.41 and recorded nine saves.
Four pitchers from Williams' staff in 2000 were selected in the MLB draft, while the '99 Heels ranked eighth nationally in ERA (3.73), lead by Derrick DePriest's 1.71 ERA - tops in the nation.
A two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer himself as a pitcher in 1984 and 1985, Williams ranks fourth in career wins at UNC with 24, posting winning percentage of .800 during his three seasons. He enjoyed single season bests in strikeouts in 1985 with 113 and ERA in 1983, a stunning 1.19. Both are top five in school history. He amassed 254 career K's in Carolina Blue. Williams tied an ACC single game record with 19 strikeouts against Duke in 1985.
Williams was tabbed in the fourth round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, and went on to play six seasons of pro ball, including two seasons at AAA Des Moines.
Following his playing career, Williams spent three seasons as the pitching coach at East Carolina, where the Pirates won 41 games in 1993 and advanced to an NCAA Regional. The pitching staff under Williams placed fifth in the nation in team ERA (2.99). Johnny Beck finished his career with the Pirates ranked first in innings (383.1) and second in wins (32) and strikeouts (317) under Williams.
Williams is a native of Greenville, N.C., where his father George, was the head baseball coach at ECU from 1974-76. It was there Roger earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1992 and a master's degree in education in 1993.
Williams is married to the former Stephanie Hensley of Asheville, N.C.
