Story by NU Athletic Communications
Former Husker men’s basketball assistant coach Jimmy Williams passed away on Monday at the age of 77.
Williams, a longtime college assistant coach, spent seven seasons at Nebraska and played a major role in the Huskers making seven straight postseason appearances in that span, including the 1994 Big Eight Tournament title and the 1996 NIT Championship.
Willliams coached the Husker big men, including 1999 Big 12 Player of the Year Venson Hamilton, as well as longtime NBA performer Mikki Moore and Derrick Chandler during his tenure. Williams, who served as NU’s Associate Head Coach in his final three years in Lincoln, played a significant role in the Huskers recruiting efforts under Nee, including players such as Hamilton, Tyronn Lue, Cookie Belcher and Larry Florence.
Williams played collegiately at Ashland College, helping the school win a national title in 1970 before going into coaching. He coached at Minnesota, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, San Diego State, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Memphis along with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.