BALDWIN, N.Y. – Auburn assistant coach Corey Williams was recognized on the 2024-25 ABIS (Advancement of Blacks In Sports) Men’s Basketball Assistant Coaches Watch List.
Those nominated are considered to be the year’s most deserving, qualified, and prepared Black coaches in college sports to elevate their careers to the next level.
Williams, who is in his second season with the back-to-back Southeastern Conference champion Tigers, was one of 20 top assistant coaches on the watch list along with Kimani Young of UConn, Kevin Nickelberry of Florida State, Charlton Young of Missouri, Van Macon of St. John’s, Chris Carrawell of Duke, David Cox of Maryland, Orlando Antigua of Illinois, Chin Coleman of Arkansas, Mike Boynton of Michigan, Karl Hobbs of Georgia Tech, Antonio Reynolds Dean of Georgia, Quannas White of Houston, Saddi Washinton of Michigan State, Justin Gainey of Tennessee, Vernon Hamilton of McNeese State, Ricardo Greer of Dayton, Korey McCray of Florida, Brandin Knight or Rutgers and Kellen Sampson of Houston.
“During this time of the year, our committee really takes a hard look at coaches who are prepared and ready for their first head coaching position or those who desire to transition to the next level,” said ABIS Founder & CEO Gary Charles. “I talk to more athletic directors and search firms
during this time than at any other time during the basketball season. They want to know who these men are outside of the X’s and O’s. AD’s can be assured that we have vetted the men on our watch list as quality coaches and quality people.”
Williams is a 24-year coaching veteran with stops at Texas Tech from 2021-23 (interim head coach in 2022-23), Arkansas from 2019-21, Stetson from 2013-19 (head coach), Florida State from 2007-13 (assistant coach) and Oral Roberts from 2000-07 (assistant coach).
A star point guard at Oklahoma State from 1988-92, he was a member of the 1993 NBA Champion Chicago Bulls after being drafted by the franchise in 1992 in the second round.
This is the fourth year of the ABIS Coaches Watchlist. It has become a great resource for sports executives, athletic administrators and search firms. Over half of the coaches on this year’s list are competing in postseason at the NCAA Tournament or the NIT and 50 percent of them are 2025 conference champions.