Softball Coaches

Damian Williams

• Head Coach
• (13th year, 248-185)
• BA, Seattle Pacific  '95
  
• Sparks 217
• (503) 370-6656 voice
• williamr@willamette.edu

Damian Williams is entering his 13th season as the head softball coach at Willamette University. He has earned an overall record of 248-185 (.573) at Willamette and has led the Bearcats to a 178-118 (.601) record in the Northwest Conference.

The Bearcats finished second in the NWC in 2010 with a 20-8 record. They earned a 28-12 overall record. It was the seventh time that Willamette has recorded 20 or more wins in a season with Williams at the helm.

In 2009, Williams guided the Bearcats to a 29-6 overall record, including a 22-6 record (2nd place) in the NWC. The Bearcats scored 214 runs (6.11 avg.), collected 293 hits (8.38 per game) and stole 102 bases (2.91 per game). Four members of the 2009 team were named First Team All-Northwest Conference and three players were named Second Team All Conference.

Williams was selected NWC Coach of the Year in 2000, after leading Willamette to a 25-10 overall record and a second place tie in the NWC at 15-6. The 2000 team led the nation with an impressive 0.76 team earned run average and was ranked #5 in the West Region. In 2005, Williams helped the Bearcats achieve a 21-11 overall record, while finishing  the year with a 19-7 mark in the  NWC (2nd place).

The success of the 2000 and 2005 teams indicate how much the team improved after Williams arrived. In 1998, the season before Williams took over, the Bearcats were 5-33 overall. Just two years later, the 2000 team was the most-improved squad in NCAA Division III, gaining 16 games over 1999 and up 21 games from 1998.

Prior to joining the Willamette coaching staff for the 1999 season, Williams served as the head coach at Shoreline Community College in Seattle for four years. His efforts gradually improved the team, which went 25-12 during the 1998 season, on its way to qualifying for the NWAACC Tournament.

Williams graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1995. He received a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Administration. Williams resides in Salem with his wife, Genesis.