Coach Williams brings tenacity, grit and success to the Maryland program.

When Coach Gary Williams came back to his alma mater and took over at the University of Maryland in 1989, the basketball program was in a rut. But the fire and passion that are the indelible mark of his coaching style brought the program back to its rightful place among the college powers.

Playing in one of America’s toughest conferences, it was always going to be tough for Maryland to produce a consistently successful program, but Coach Williams was determined to defy the odds. He galvanized his players around the idea that they would always have to play like their backs were against the wall if they wanted to win. And the results speak for themselves. Eighth amongst active coaches in wins, he has led Maryland to consecutive winning seasons since 1993-94, and has had tremendous success in the tournament - seven times they have been one of the final 16 teams and twice have made the semis.

But after winning the 2002 national tournament - the school’s first ever title in basketball – Maryland made the leap to the elite. The championship was a result not only of the exceptional talent that Coach Williams was able to bring to College Park, but also the passion and commitment that he was able to bring out of his players. Star players, such as Juan Dixon and Chris Wilcox, had the natural talent but their games were ignited under his leadership. A wiry guard who weighed no more than 165 pounds soaking wet, Dixon embodied the spirit of Maryland’s program. Through hard work and perseverance, he grew from a role player as a freshman to an All-American as a senior, and finished with the most points in Maryland history. Led by Dixon, the 2001-02 Maryland team rarely let up, finishing with an astounding 32-4 record. It was clear that Coach Williams’ fiery and animated sideline style had infused the team with a desire and resolve that matched his own.

With 12 national tournament appearances in the last 14 years, Coach Williams has proven that he can continue to motivate his players, and with the passion still burning inside him, the future looks bright for the Maryland program.

Learn elite teamwork from coaches Gary Williams, Billy Donovan and Oliver Purnell