Quick Facts
Biography
Joe Williams is a retired college basketball coach. He was head coach of the Jacksonville University men's basketball team from 1964 to 1970, Furman University from 1970 to 1978 and the Florida State University from 1978 to 1986. He notably led Jacksonville University to the Finals of the NCAA Tournament in 1970, where he lost to John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins 80-69. In addition, he took three different colleges to the NCAA Tournament.
During his eight-year tenure (1970-1978) at Furman, the Paladins made it to the NCAA Tournament five times (1970-71, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75 and 1977-78); won the Southern Conference Tournament five times (1970-71, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75 and 1977-78) and the regular-season SoCon title three times (1973-74, 1974-75 and 1976-77).
Williams is also one of only 25 coaches all-time to have led three different teams to the NCAA tournament. His son, Blake Williams, is currently an assistant basketball coach at Furman University.