BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell University President Dr. William Downs and Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore announced today that the university has named Jimmie Williams as head men's basketball coach.
Williams comes to Buies Creek after spending the past four seasons as the head coach at Anderson (NCAA Division II), in Anderson, S.C., helping the Trojans to a school record 29 wins and a 1-seed in this year's NCAA tournament.

"When we began our search for a new head coach, I prioritized three non-negotiable qualities," said President Downs. "First, I wanted someone who has demonstrated experience as a championship winning head coach. Second, I wanted a high-character leader who knows how to recruit and retain high-character, high-ability students and staff to build and sustain a program. Third, I wanted someone who wants to be at Campbell…a family man who will embrace our campus family, who will champion our values, and who will make our community proud. Jimmie Williams is a phenomenal coach, an inspirational mentor, and a relentless competitor. He'll do more than simply assemble a series of rosters…he'll establish a winning culture, he'll outwork his peers, and he'll position Campbell for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992. I'm thrilled to have Coach Jimmie Williams leading our Fighting Camels, and I know you're going to love getting to know him!"

"We are thrilled to have Jimmie Williams as our men's basketball head coach," said Bazemore. "Jimmie is the perfect fit to lead our program into this new era. He is a winner, a leader, and a man of high character that understands our landscape and what it takes to bring a lasting, championship culture back to Campbell. Welcome Jimmie and his wonderful family to The Creek!"

"I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the head men's basketball coach at Campbell University," said Williams. "I want to thank President Downs and Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore for their trust and belief in me to lead this program."

Williams is the seventh coach in the program's D1 era (since 1977-78).

"Campbell is a special place with a strong mission, and that alignment matters deeply to me. I get to coach the game I love in a Christ centered environment that is as tight knit as any place I've been," added Williams. "I believe in building a program centered on relationships, character, and a commitment to something bigger than ourselves. My family and I are excited to become part of this community and invest in the people and culture that make Campbell special. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Anderson University — the administration, players, and community — for the opportunity to lead and grow there. That experience has had a profound impact on me, and I will always be thankful."

An introductory press conference is set for Friday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. inside the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.

"We are eager to get to work — building meaningful relationships with our players, recruiting young men of high character, and developing a program that represents Campbell University with pride on and off the court," said Williams. "Roll Humps!"

Williams initially took the helm at Anderson in April 2022, and guided the program to a 69-49, 48-26 record across four seasons.

Williams was named both the 2025-26 NABC District, and South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Williams most recently led his Anderson squad to a sterling 29-3, 20-2 record in the Southern Athletic Conference, winning the program's first conference championship, and earning a 1-seed in the NCAA DII tournament. The team was ranked in the nation's top-10 all season, marking the first top-10 rankings in program history.

The 2025-26 Trojans boasted a scoring offense (83.4) and scoring defense (68.2) ranked in the nation's top 40. Those numbers combined to leave Anderson ranked seventh nationally in scoring margin at 15.2.

The high-octane offense was fueled largely from beyond the arc, where the Trojans ranked 18th in three-pointers per game (10.0) and 17th in three-point percentage (37.9).
In addition to his own Coach of the Year honors, Rashawn Inglemon earned SAC Freshman of the Year and first-team honors, AJ Wright Jr. earned SAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Osmar Garcia-Araujo earned first-team accolades under Williams' tutelage.

Before Anderson, Williams spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Furman under Bob Richey. He helped the Paladins to 89 wins in four seasons, averaging 22.5 per year, making an NIT appearance in 2018-19. He helped guide the Paladins to school records for victories in back-to-back seasons from 2018 to 2020.

Previous coaching stops included Jewell College (Liberty, Mo.) as associate head coach, and an assistant coaching position at North Greenville.

As a player, Williams was a two-time all-conference selection at MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas.

Williams completed his Master of Business Administration at North Greenville in 2014 after earning his undergraduate degree from MidAmerica Nazarene in 2002.

He is married to the former Stephanie Rickey and the couple have four children - Christopher, Sloane, Stella and Jimmie V.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH WILLIAMS
"We couldn't be more excited for Coach Williams. He has been an exceptional leader for our program, and his impact is evident in every facet of what he's built. He leads with a holistic approach, cultivates a strong culture, and invests deeply in the lives of his players in ways that truly matter. Campbell is gaining not just an outstanding coach, but an outstanding person. He and his wonderful family will undoubtedly make a lasting impact and achieve great success with the Campbell Camels." - Bert Epting: Vice President for University Relations, Athletics, and Strategic Academic Performance Programs, Anderson University

"Jimmie Williams is a winner - in life, with his family, and as a coach. He leads with character and conviction and played a meaningful role in the sustained excellence of Furman Basketball, followed by record breaking success at Anderson University. Campbell University is getting a great coach and an even better person to lead its program." - Jason Donnelly, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Furman University

"Campbell hit a home run by hiring Jimmie Williams. His personal faith and values combined with his winning pedigree make this a perfect match! Jimmie has impacted winning and improved programs at each of his stops and just led Anderson to one of their best seasons in school history. He will be a connector on campus and in the community, a great leader and mentor for his players, and put systems in place to build a sustainable winner at Campbell." - Bob Richey, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Furman University

WILLIAMS COACHING TIMELINE
2022-26: Head Coach, Anderson
2018-22: Assistant Coach, Furman
2015-18: Associate Head Coach, William Jewell
2011-15: Assistant Coach, North Greenville
2010-11: Assistant Coach, Southwestern
2009-10: Assistant Coach, Texas Wesleyan
2008-09: Head Coach, Stoutland High School
2006-08: Assistant Coach, MidAmerica Nazarene

WILLIAMS YEAR-BY-YEAR AS HEAD COACH
2025-26: 29-3 (20-2 SAC) | SAC Champions, NCAA First Round (#1 Seed)
2024-25: 16-13 (12-12 SAC) | SAC Quarterfinals
2023-24: 15-14 (10-10 SAC) | SAC Quarterfinals
2022-23: 9-19 (6-12 SAC)