Hamilton Heights Christian Academy has named Melvin Williams as the new Head Coach of the Hamilton Heights Girls Basketball Program.
Williams brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Lady Hawks, at all levels of High School, and College Basketball, including multiple years coaching at the Division I level.
Prior to arriving at HHCA, Coach Williams was assistant womens’ basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University for 2 years. That two-year stint at MVSU followed after a three-year stint at SWAC counterpart Alabama A&M where he served as assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs from 2010-13. From April to May 2013, Williams worked as the team’s interim head coach. In his time at A&M, he helped the Lady Bulldogs excel on the court and in the classroom, as the team was recognized for having the highest grade point average in the SWAC in consecutive years. The team’s biggest win came in December 2010 when the Lady Bulldogs upset the University of Minnesota.
Prior to his time at A&M, he served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Georgia Perimeter during the 2009-10 season. There, he coached two student-athletes who would go on to be named All-Conference.
His time at Georgia Perimeter was preceded by a two-year stint as head women’s basketball coach at Tennessee Temple University. At the private Christian liberal arts school, Williams led the team to an 18-12 record and to the semifinals of the South Region in his first year at the helm. His team was ranked 12th in the National Christina College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Two student-athletes were named All-Region and one was tabbed All-American.
Prior to arriving at Tennessee Temple, Williams served as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Cumberland University under Lonnie Thompson for one season from 2006-07. He also spent time as senior recruiting coordinator at Tennessee State for two seasons (2004-06) and head men’s and women’s basketball coach at Chattanooga State for six years (1998-2004). He began his head coaching tenure at Chattanooga State in 1999 after a one-year stint as an assistant with the men’s team.
Under Williams’ guidance, the CSCC men’s team reached the semifinals of the TJCAA Tournament three consecutive seasons. In 2003, the men’s team advanced to the TJCAA championship. During that span, the Tigers posted back-to-back 20-win seasons. In 2002, the Lady Tigers finished fourth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament after dominating their region and finishing with a 30-5 record. Williams produced several All-American and All-Region selections as well as NJCAA MVP honorees.
For his efforts, he was named the Region VII Coach of the Year (2001-02). He also had the honor of being voted by his peers to coach the All-Star game for four straight years (2001-04).
After graduating from high school, Williams began a career with the U.S. Navy where he was a four-year letter winner for the basketball team. He was tabbed to the All-Tournament team in 1985.
He officially began his coaching career in 1992 on the high school level in Georgia under Hall of Fame coach Lawanza Crutcher.
A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering technology. He is married to Gale Williams and they have one daughter, Lauren. Lauren is an Alumni (’17) of Hamilton Heights and was a member of the Lady Hawks Basketball team during her time at HHCA.
Coach Williams’ College Coaching Resume
2013-15
Mississippi Valley State University
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
2010-13
Alabama A&M
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
2009-10
Georgia Perimeter College
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
2007-09
Tennessee Temple University
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
2006-07
Cumberland University
Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach
2004-06
Tennessee State
Senior Recruiting Coordinator
1998-2004
Chattanooga State College
Head Men’s & Women’s Basketball Coach
