May 27, 2005

DAYTON, OH - Greg Williams submitted his resignation from his post as assistant coach for the University of Dayton women's basketball team to head coach Jim Jabir to accept the position of head coach at Rice University, his alma mater.

Williams had been the top assistant for UD since Jabir took over the Flyers program in 2003. He filled in on an interim basis for the first six games of the 2004-05 season, when coach Jabir was on medical leave, and guided the team to a 3-3 record (with wins and losses reflected on Jabir's record).

"The opportunity to go to Rice is one I can't pass up," Williams said. "It's an honor to return to my alma mater as head coach. I'm grateful to coach Jabir and I have the utmost confidence in where he's leading the Dayton program."

"We're thrilled for Greg and wish him the best," Jabir said. "On a personal level, I'll miss working with him every day and can't thank him enough for what he's done for our program."

Williams earned non-conference wins over Akron, Cleveland State and Toledo before Jabir returned to the sidelines December 7, 2004 in UD's win over Wright State.

He last served as head coach at the college level in 1996-1997, a season in which he led the Colorado State Rams to a 21-7 record. He coached Colorado State from 1990-1997, guiding the Rams to the Western Athletic Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament in 1996 while picking up Coach of the Year honors. Williams then moved on to the WNBA - one of three women's professional leagues he's coached in - and served as an assistant and then head coach of the Detroit Shock until joining the Flyers' staff in 2003-04. For his career, Williams has posted an overall record of 201-139 as a collegiate head coach, 58-43 as a professional head coach, and 259-182 combined.

He graduated from Rice in 1970, where he was guard for the men's basketball team for three seasons. He scored 1,101 career points which ranks 22nd in Rice history. He is also still the all-time leader at Rice in career free throw percentage (.858, 289-of-337).

The Flyers, who posted the fourth-best improvement from 2003-04 to 2004-05 with nine games, return 13 of 14 letter-winners for next season, including All-Conference selection Cara Wright.

Jabir said that the search for new assistant coach would begin immediately.