Jeff Williams hired as La Salle women's coach

Jeff Williams has been named the La Salle women's basketball coach, according to Explorers director of athletics Dr. Tom Brennan.

Williams has spent the last seven seasons as an assistant coach and associate head coach at Pitt.

"I am very excited to begin my head-coaching career at La Salle University," Williams said in a statement yesterday. "I hope to create an exciting environment for our student-athletes. I know it will be a challenge to compete in the Atlantic 10, which boasts some of the top coaches and programs in the country. But my vision is to bring La Salle to national prominence."

Williams has more than 20 years of college-coaching experience, including the last 16 years in women's basketball. He was an assistant coach at Howard (1995- 2000) and Georgia Tech (2001-03).

He also was an assistant coach for the men's teams at George Mason (1989-93) and South Carolina State (1987-89). He replaces Tom Lochner, who was 71-102 in six seasons.

Williams also has professional coaching experience, leading the Atlanta Justice, of the National Women's Basketball League to the league title in 2000-01.

Williams is a 1987 graduate of Howard with a degree in therapeutic recreation. He is married to the former Tamecia McCoy; they have a daughter and a son. *