UTRGV Athletics announced hired Lee Williams, who had been the head coach at Lubbock Christian University (LCU) the last two years, as an assistant coach on Feb. 2, 2016.
Williams led LCU to a 17-13-3 (.561) record, while also helping the team to a 13-5-1 (.711) record as an assistant coach in 2013. The 2014 squad went 9-6-1 overall and 6-2-0 in conference play while completing what was then the best active conference winning streak in NCAA Division II by winning their first four matches as part of a 10-match winning streak.
Williams coached and recruited an All-American, four Academic All-Region and six All-Conference performers while running successful camps and implementing a community outreach program that included volunteering with the Special Olympics, Lubbock Food Bank and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Williams began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Our Lady of the Lake men’s and women’s soccer programs during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, helping the men’s team to its first-ever conference tournament, conference championship and NAIA Tournament berth. In 2012, Williams helped the women’s team to an 8-1 record in conference play and a spot in the conference tournament semifinals.
Originally from Aberystwyth, Wales, Williams also played with Swansea City FC of the English Premier League from 1995-97 before going on to play for Llanelli AFC in the Welsh Premier League. During that time, he was selected to play for Welsh Colleges playing against Australia and South Africa. He played in the lower tiers of English football, playing for Worcester City and Thurrock FC. While pursuing his education, Williams was a player/coach, starting all three years at the University of Worcester and serving as captain for two years. He led his team to two regional championships and the ninth ranking in BUSA. Williams was selected to play for Midlands Representative Universities twice, captaining the team in his final year. He was then selected for the England Universities squad to play in a tournament against all the home nations (Wales, Scotland and Ireland), which the team won. After coming to the U.S., Williams played for the Minnesota Thunder practice squad (USL-1), and Rhode Island Stingrays (PDL) before pursuing coaching fulltime.
Williams began his coaching career at the age of 18 with the staff of Swansea City FC. He moved to England to complete his college education and assist the youth development staffs of English Championship League’s Birmingham City and Leicester City. After completing his degree, Williams moved to the U.S. to continue his coaching education. He coached for British Soccer as a club trainer for five years and was heavily involved in club soccer coaching as well. He founded and served as Director for Republic S.C. in Lubbock, an all-boys soccer club with seven teams. He has also served as a coach with Classics Elite Soccer Academy in San Antonio, Boys Academy Director and Soccer Coach with the DFW Tornadoes in New Braunfels, Soccer Coach and Camp Director with Challenge Sports, Inc. in San Antonio.
Williams is a 2003 graduate with honors of the University of Worcester with a Bachelor of Science in Sports & Exercise Science. He earned his Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Our Lady of the Lake in 2013.
He and his wife, Stephanie, and their daughters, Scarlette and Nia, reside in the Rio Grande Valley.
