Williams takes over as La Salle women's coach

Jeff Williams is one of those people who wouldn't want to move into a furnished home. He would rather start from the ground up and build the foundation himself.

At least that's the type of logic that mirrors his resume as an assistant women's basketball coach . . .

Since 1987, Williams has played a pivotal role in turning around South Carolina State, George Mason, Howard, Georgia Tech and, most recently, Pittsburgh.

And those types of experiences - the resurrection kind - made him the perfect fit to take over and attempt to rebuild a La Salle program that went 7-22 last season under Tom Lochner, who reached a mutual agreement with the university not to return.

"My previous experiences have shown me that it can be done and it will be done," Williams said after being introduced as the new head coach of the Explorers women's basketball team yesterday afternoon in the Heyman Center at Tom Gola Arena. "We just have to get the right type of kids. Kids who want to work, kids who will go through walls for you and kids that have character."

"We're delighted to add Jeff to the La Salle family," director of athletics Tom Brennan said. "We believe he's going to not only raise the level of our program, but build it up, as well."

That's exactly what Williams accomplished over the past seven seasons while at Pitt. Serving under Agnus Berenato, Williams aided her in recruiting such top-tier talents as Shavonte Zellous and Philadelphia's own Marcedes Walker (University City High), who both went on to play in the WNBA. They revamped the program from a six-win team in 2003-04 into a Big East powerhouse that reached back-to-back Sweet 16s in '08 and '09.

"I definitely want to preach a family type atmosphere," Williams said. "We're certainly going to continue to recruit around Philly. We've formed some great relationships with the AAU coaches in the area. But we're also going to go out and recruit nationally, as well."

He will have to, playing in a conference such as the Atlantic 10, which sent three teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Temple.

Asked what type of style his team would play, Williams replied, "up-tempo."

"We're definitely going to push the ball," he said. "Granted, I still have to evaluate our talent."

Losing leading scorer Morgan Robertson to graduation dents that talent, but as Williams said the process will take some time.

Williams finally has a family he can call his own. Whether he successfully builds a house for it remains to be seen. *