Kentucky to hire Jackson State’s Mo Williams as assistant coach
Kentucky is anticipated to hire Jackson State head coach Mo Williams as an assistant underneath Mark Popea number of sources inform KSR.
The transfer comes on the heels of his son’s dedication to the Wildcats, 2026 four-star guard Mason Williams turning into Pope’s first pledge of the spring on Friday. They took an official visit to Kentucky together last week.
Williams performed 13 seasons within the league for seven completely different franchises — most notably as LeBron James’ co-star within the backcourt with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was an All-Star in 2008-09, serving to lead the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Finals whereas averaging 17.8 factors and 4.1 assists per contest. They additionally gained a championship collectively in 2015-16, Williams’ closing season within the NBA. He completed his profession scoring 10,759 factors with 3,990 assists, 2,264 rebounds and 721 steals in 818 video games performed, suiting up for the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets.
Following his enjoying days, Williams shortly obtained into teaching, beginning as an assistant at Cal State Northridge (2018-20) earlier than taking on as head coach at Alabama State (2020-22). He was then employed as head coach at Jackson State (2022-present), the place he has led the Tigers to a mixed document of 56-74 and 47-25 within the SWAC. His profession document sits at 69-109.
The Wildcats really hosted Williams and the Tigers inside Rupp Arena again on November 22, 2024, a 108-59 win for Kentucky. Koby Brea and Otega Oweh mixed for 43 factors as UK completed with capturing splits of 58/44/90 within the dominant all-around effort. After the sport, Pope singled out Williams and his contributions to the game over time as a participant and coach.
“Mo clearly, come on, he’s one of the best basketball guys and ambassadors to this game ever,” he stated that evening.
“It is absolutely great to be here. The crowd was tremendous,” Williams added. “Sad to say, I am now 1-1 in this building — I was 1-0 as a player at Alabama, so I’m kind of down about that. This one game stings. Hopefully (Pope) will play me again next year — give me another opportunity. But I’m proud of our guys.”
Pope would give Williams a chance — however not as an opposing coach. Instead, it will likely be as an assistant on his personal workers, filling considered one of two present vacancies left by Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks III. Hart left to turn into the affiliate head coach at SMU underneath Andy Enfield, whereas Brooks’ contract was not renewed.
UK currently has three job openings on-line relating to the lads’s basketball program, one being Hart’s assistant coach position. Now we all know that Williams can be taking it, leaving Jackson State to be part of his son in Lexington.
