Custom Search FRANKFORT, Ky. -- After serving three seasons as Kentucky State’s assistant men’s basketball coach, Darnell Williams was announced as the head coach of the men’s basketball program on Monday.
"It's my opinion that we are very fortunate to have a young man of Darnell's caliber available to lead our team on its trek to respectability," said Dr. William K. Head, Kentucky State's director of athletics. "He obviously comes from good beginnings and hopefully will give our athletes the strength of character to persevere."
Williams
Upon receiving the appointment, Williams noted that he is grateful to be able to take over a program with such a rich tradition, one that includes three consecutive national championships from 1970-1972.
"It's a great opportunity," said Williams. "It's great to be able to take over a program that has had such a great and successful history. We're going to try to get the program back to where it was."
Williams joined Kentucky State prior to the 2012-2013 season, serving as an assistant for three seasons under former head coach Antwain Banks. Williams has helped guide the Thorobreds to winning seasons in two of his three years on the staff, with the team posting a 15-12 overall record and a 11-6 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record in his first season, followed by a 15-14 overall campaign and a 10-7 conference mark in 2013-2014. Additionally, the Thorobreds went on a deep SIAC Tournament run in 2014 before falling to eventual champion Tuskegee in the conference semifinal.
Though Kentucky State struggled to a 9-18 record last season, Williams believes the pieces are in place for a successful run if he can instill a strong work ethic within the group.