June 27, 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Kevin Williams, former Saint Louis University player, has been named assistant basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University.

"We had over 150 applicants but it was clear that Kevin Williams was the best person to fill our coaching vacancy," said Southeast head coach Gary Garner. "Coach Williams knows our system and has a great rapport with players. I know what I am getting and I'm looking forward to Kevin joining our staff. He will be involved in all aspects of our basketball program including recruiting."

Williams was a staff member at Southeast during Garner's first three years at Southeast including the 2000 season when the Indians advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He will replace John Daniel who resigned at the end of last season.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Williams was an all-state player at Cape Central High School and played on the 1980 state championship team. He played college basketball at Saint Louis University where he played in 111 games.

Following graduation, Williams served as head basketball coach at Whitfield High School in St. Louis for two years before entering private business. In 1997 he returned to Southeast to pursue a graduate degree.

Williams became head basketball coach at Caruthersville for the 2000-2001 season and guided his team to a record 22-7 and a berth in the state quarterfinals. Last season, Caruthersville was 14-11.

"I'm extremely excited to join Gary Garner's coaching staff at Southeast," Williams said. "Coach Garner is one of the most knowledgeable coaches in the country and is widely respected. I just want to help Southeast win in any way I can. I'm really looking forward to recruiting. Hopefully I can relate to the young players and land us some talented athletes."

Williams father, Carroll, served as head basketball coach at Southeast from 1976-1981 and currently serves as head golf coach.

"I've been playing basketball in the gyms at Southeast since I was old enough to dribble," Williams said. "I'm happy to be coming back home."