By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---Josh Williams has been named the head men's golf coach at Owens Community College. He becomes the third head coach in the program's history and succeeds Gil Guerrero, who retired after coaching the team for the past six years.
"Coach Williams really stepped up and took on a number of added responsibilities last year with the golf program," said Express Director of Athletics Rudy Yovich. "I was impressed with his work ethic, knowledge, concern for his student-athletes and love for the College. He is incredibly well respected by his peers within the conference and local golf community, and I am truly excited to see where he leads the program in the coming years."
Williams has been part of the Express golf program since its inception. From 2005-07, he was a student-athlete in the golf program, and he has been an assistant coach for the past five seasons. In those seven years, the program has sent either an individual or the team to the NJCAA D-II National Championships five times.
"That goes to show you the quality of players and young men that have came through this golf program over the years," Williams said. "I look forward to bringing more success to the already rich tradition of achievements of the Express golf program. I can assure you that I will bring more quality players to represent, not only this golf program, but Owens Community College."
During his two years as a student-athlete, Williams was a First Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) selection, an NJCAA D-II Sub Regional Medalist, a team captain, a Coaches Award recipient, and was part of the 2005-06 NJCAA D-II National Tournament qualifying team, where he finished 114th individually. Williams still holds the program record for lowest nine hole score (30).
"Being part of those teams and the success we had was one of the greatest moments in my life, and I look forward to bringing moments like that to all my current and future golfers," Williams said.
Williams played four years of basketball, golf, and track, along with one year of football at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, OH. He is a member of the Arcadia High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Perrysburg resident serves as the Vice President of Operations at Lakeland Golf Course in Fostoria, and he also teaches golf lessons at Maumee Sports Mall. For the past six years, he has taught Health and Physical Education classes as an adjunct faculty member for Owens. Williams is currently working towards a degree in sport management and athletic administration from Ashford University.
Williams takes over an Express golf program that won four invitationals and finished in the top three in six other invitationals last year. In its history, the program has captured three OCCAC championships and four NJCAA Region XII Sub-Regional championships. Additionally, the team has made two appearances in the NJCAA D-II National Championships (2006 and 2008) and sent an individual to the NJCAA D-II National Championships three times (Joey Bussdieker, Jimmy Bell and Luke Berger).