Williams To Leave WSSU Women's Basketball Program At End Of 2005-06 Season

Williams To Leave WSSU Women’s Basketball Program At End Of 2005-06 Season

February 16, 2006 

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State University's women's basketball coach John Williams will vacate his coaching duties at the completion of the 2005-2006 season, WSSU Athletics officials said today. 

Dr. Chico Caldwell, WSSU’s Director of Athletics announced his decision this afternoon following an evaluation of both this season, one in which the Lady Rams have gone 8-17, and the program’s performance over the duration of the John Williams’ coaching era, a span of four seasons in which the Lady Rams posted an overall record of 51-57 (.472). 

"Following the assessment of the direction of the current program, it was decided that a coaching change was in the best interest of the university and the women’s basketball program," Caldwell said.

“I admire Coach Williams' fortitude and commitment to the team in his desire to finish the current season.  This decision was a difficult one to make, but it comes down to doing what is in the best interest of our student-athletes, athletic program and the university as a whole", Caldwell added.

Williams will continue his duties as head coach for the remainder of the season and throughout the upcoming CIAA women’s basketball tournament as well as any NCAA postseason play that WSSU may qualify for.

Williams has two years remaining on his current contract.  He will continue to serve the university in another capacity.

“I am thankful for the opportunity that I have had to coach at Winston-Salem State University” Williams said.  “We have a young team and things this season just did not turn out the way that we had hoped.  I made a commitment to our student-athletes and will carry out that commitment as we play our last two regular season games and head into the CIAA tournament.”

Caldwell said that he will work expeditiously in the search for the next Lady Rams’ women’s basketball coach following the conclusion of the season and added that nothing will be done until the conclusion of the season. 

 “We will conduct a national search for our next head women's basketball coach at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season," Caldwell said.