Jeff Walz Adds Louisville Native Samantha Williams to His Staff
May 09, 2011 | Women's Basketball
May 9, 2011
Louisville, Ky. - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz has announced the addition of Louisville native and former Duke recruiting coordinator Samantha Williams as an assistant coach on his staff. Williams replaces Bethann Ord, who was named the head coach at Weber State.
"We are elated to have someone from Louisville with a resume that embodies success join our staff," said head coach Jeff Walz. "Samantha Williams brings us a wealth of experience in recruiting and on court instruction. This is a blockbuster hire that brings with it a measure of national exposure and affirms that Louisville is a destination of prestige and honor. Her addition to the staff bolsters our already strong presence across the country and confirms my belief that this is one of the best up and coming programs in the country. I know the fan base here in Louisville will enjoy having one of their own return to help us pursue our ultimate goal of a national championship."
"I'm honored and excited about joining Coach Walz's staff at Louisville," said Williams. "Having grown up in Louisville, I've been able to witness the development and growth of the program. Coach Walz is one of the brightest basketball minds in the game and with the commitment to women's basketball by the administration, the future continues to be very bright. After being able to spend time with Coach Walz and his staff recently, I am looking forward to joining their family atmosphere and was impressed with the closeness of the program. I'm also excited to be back coaching in the BIG EAST, arguable the toughest conference in the nation."
Williams joins the Cardinal staff after spending the last four seasons at Duke University. While at Duke she worked primarily with the guards and was one of two recruiting coordinators. In her first season with the Blue Devils, Williams helped bring in the fifth best recruiting class in the nation and followed that up with a solid class the next season. Last season she helped sign the No. 1 class in the nation. While at Duke she worked with All-American guards Jasmine Thomas and Abby Waner.
Before arriving at Duke, Williams spent three years at DePaul University as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator under Doug Bruno. In her three seasons the Blue Demons made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006.
Williams began her collegiate coaching career at Saint Louis University where she was an assistant coach for one season before moving on to Columbus State as the recruiting coordinator in 2002-03. She returned to her alma mater, Auburn, during the 2003-04 season when the Tigers posted a 22-9 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Williams was a four year starter for Auburn from 1992-96 and was a co-captain for her final two seasons. She helped lead the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight once. During her four seasons with the tigers, Williams set the career 3-point field goal record with 161 3-pointers. In 1993 she helped the U.S. Junior National Team win the bronze medal at the R. William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.
Williams, a Louisville native, graduated from DuPont Manual High School in 1992 where she was a first team Parade and Street and Smith All-American. She was also named to USA Today's Super 25.
