A native of Wiggins, Mississippi, Jonathan Williams enters his second season as Assistant Coach of the Jackson State women’s basketball team. Williams was named an Assistant Coach at Jackson State University in the fall of 2021. He has been instrumental in the program's success, playing an integral part as the team has won its third consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season title and the 2022 SWAC Tournament Championship, and made a trip to the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The JSU women’s basketball program has had one student-athlete earn First Team All-SWAC honors, 2 players have earned All-SWAC tournament awards, and another named to the Second Team. Under the direction of head coach Tomekia Reed, Williams has also assisted in producing both a WNBA draft pick in Ameshya Williams-Holliday and a U.S. Olympian, Alexis Roberts who won a gold medal in the Deaflympics. Williams’ success as part of the JSU coaching staff continued as the Tigers went undefeated in 2022 in SWAC play.
Before coaching at Jackson State Williams served as the Associate Head Coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston, Miss.). Williams helped guide the women’s basketball program to 40 wins in three seasons, two Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Tournaments, and two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 appearances. In 2020, the Bulldogs were NJCAA Region 23 semifinalists, as they completed a 17-win season, the best finish since 2014, and the first back-to-back NJCAA Region 23 appearance since 2012-13. MGCCC Head Coach Hope Adams was also awarded MACCC Coach Of The Year in 2019.
Under Bulldogs’ Head Coach Hope Adams, Williams assisted the development of fifteen 4-year college signees, including eight that went on to NCAA Division I programs. Among those eight athletes was Daphane White, a 6'5” Mississippi State University transfer, McDonald’s All-American Nominee, and five-star nationally ranked player. During her sophomore year at MGCCC White averaged 15.7 points and 11 rebounds. White was the highest-ranked Division 1 junior college athlete in the nation. She was awarded All-MACJC, All-Region 23, and 2020 NJCAA All-American accolades. White went on to sign a full athletic scholarship to the University of Houston after leaving MGCCC.
Williams also assisted with the guard development of Breannah Mccullah who later was named to the 2019 All-MACCC team, 2019 Region 23 All-Tournament team, and All-MACCC All-Star player. Mccullah graduated and signed to Tennessee State University. Kayla Simmons, Dandy Dozen Honorable Mention, also received 2019 First Team All-MACCC awards, 2019 All-Region 23 awards, and 2019 Region 23 All-Tournament team recognition. Simmons finished two years at MGCCC and signed with the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Williams played a huge role in rebuilding the program's brand and recruiting efforts, led by signing a five-star nationally ranked player and two Mississippi Dandy Dozen selections. ??During Williams’ tenure at MGCCC under Coach Adams, the teams posted an overall team grade point average of 3.16 which led to over 20 All-Academic selections.
Prior to MGCCC Williams returned to his Alma Mater to begin his coaching career as the Stone High School assistant boys’ basketball coach. During his three years there, the team won 65 games and a Region 8-5A championship. Stone High School 23-5(6-0) Region 8-5A champions played in the MHSAA semi-final championship game in Jackson, Mississippi, but fell to Callaway High School in the matchup. The team ended its season as one of the premier 5-A teams in the state.
Before beginning his coaching career, Williams was a standout shooting guard at Stone High School accumulating over 65 wins in four seasons and averaging 17 points, 5.5 assists, and five rebounds as a senior. Williams earned district awards and team offensive MVP awards. He was recognized as one of the top 50 players in the state and later accepted a full basketball scholarship to Pearl River Community College.
At Pearl River Community College, Williams helped lead a nationally ranked Wildcats men’s basketball program to back-to-back Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State championships as a Division I junior college athlete. Williams was offered athletic scholarships to further his basketball career but instead decided to focus on school and real estate.
Williams owns Elite Sklz Basketball Training, an intense basketball skills program designed to maximize potential and develop talent. Through Elite Sklz, Williams trains professional, collegiate, high school, and amateur basketball players. Elite Sklz Training started in South Mississippi and has since expanded rapidly.
Williams earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Faulkner University and his Master’s in Business Administration from William Carey. He has a son, Cortez Dennis, who plays baseball at Pearl River Community College.
