With impressive performances, strong results and a unified team spirit, BCU remains the last unbeaten side in the NBL3 pyramid.
"My guys work incredibly hard," Williams said. "What's been crucial this year is that they've fully committed to winning and doing things the right way. Given that they're all university-aged players, it's fantastic to see them buy into that mindset.
"At this stage, they have their own views on where they think they are as basketball players and that’s perfectly normal. But this season, they’ve embraced playing our way - the Birmingham City way - to achieve the success we’re striving for."
Williams' vision extends beyond on-court performance. Fostering a family-oriented environment on game days while prioritising holistic player development, his focus includes building strong relationships within Birmingham’s basketball community to create opportunities for players and coaches beyond their playing careers.
Although BCU competes in NBL3, Williams and his team see themselves as an NBL1 outfit in the making.
"We remind our players of what we’re working toward. My assistants and I invest time beyond practices,” he said.
“Calls, WhatsApp messages, sharing Division One highlights. Every week, we send links to games in our group chat. I tell them ‘This is where we want to be. We have to start thinking like a Division 1 programme’.”
The structure at BCU allows Williams to balance National League competition with BUCS play, leveraging both platforms to enhance player development.
The university’s support has been instrumental, providing access to facilities, transport, and other logistical necessities.
“Even small things, like making sure the floor is cleaned before our games, show the level of backing we receive. It allows me to focus on coaching," Williams added.
While Williams is focused on his coaching role at BCU, his influence extends far beyond the university.
As Performance Programme Manager at Basketball Wales and Head of Compliance for England Boxing, his contributions to sports development are significant.
Previously, Williams served as Regional Talent Manager for Basketball England, helping guide the next generation, just as his mentor, Dave Bradshaw, once did for him.
"I was involved in football, rugby, and basketball when I was younger," Williams recalled.
"Dave found me at school and encouraged me to focus on my strengths. He introduced me to basketball and became my support system. I started with the Redditch Regents, his local team, before moving to Birmingham Bullets.
"I quickly progressed through the age groups - jumping from U14 to U18 - because of my physicality. Then, I moved on to East Durham Basketball Academy, one of the top programmes at the time."
Williams’ talent earned him junior-level call-ups for England and stints in NBL1 with the Bristol Academy Flyers and Team Northumbria, which had links to the Newcastle Eagles. However, as he continued playing, he also began to ponder about his post-basketball career.
"I loved my playing days, but I knew I had to plan for the future,” Williams admitted.
“I returned home and started working in education, moving up to assistant headteacher for pastoral care. Alongside that, I delved deeper into coaching.
"I had coached during my playing career, but it wasn’t my primary focus. Once I settled in the West Midlands, I realised my passion for developing young players.
“I became involved in what’s now the Aspire programme, guiding athletes through the regional talent pathway."
Through coaching, Williams has mentored players such as Kofi Josephs, Conroy Hayden, and Dave Salisbury - the latter being the best man at Williams’ wedding and now a coach in Leeds.
His commitment to growing basketball in Birmingham remains steadfast.
Williams’ ultimate goal? To elevate a team - ideally his own - to the heights the Birmingham Bullets once reached in the 1990s.
With Birmingham City University thriving under his leadership both as a coach and a mentor, he could be on his way to achieving that dream.
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Words by John Hobbs
