Former UNC basketball standout hired as a Division I assistant coach

Former UNC basketball guard Shammond Williams will join the University of Denver’s coaching staff as an assistant coach in the 2024-25 season.

Williams has coached college basketball around the nation for over a decade now, with programs such as Furman, Tulane, and Western Kentucky. For the past three years, the former Tar Heel has been an assistant coach for the Old Dominion women’s basketball team.

At his new role in Denver, Williams will work under head coach Jeff Wulbrun. In the 2023-24 season, Wulbrun led the Pioneers to the Summit League Championship Game for the first time in program history and finished the season with a 17-17 record, the most win for the program since the 2012-13 season (22-10).

Williams is ready for the challenge, and shared his thoughts on the new role in a statement released by University of Denver Athletics.

“I am extremely excited, about having the opportunity to represent the University of Denver and Head Coach Jeff Wulbrun. Coach Wulbrun is a great coach but an even better person, and the coaching world knows it. Jeff, cares about his players and staff, and a well respected coach in our profession. I’m blessed to have been able to work for an awesome individual in Delisha Milton Jones, and transition to another in Jeff Wulbrun. My family and I are eager to come back to the Mile High City and represent The University of Denver and Pioneer family. “

Williams reached the Final Four three times as a player with the UNC basketball program (1995, 1997,1998) and looks to reach his fourth, but this time as a coach. The news comes just days after another UNC legend landed a coaching job, as former UNC basketball star Jerry Stackhouse was named to the Golden State Warriors coaching staff.