HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College Vice President for Athletics and Facilities Dr. Lynn Griffin announced today that Chris Williams has been appointed as the new head men's soccer coach for the Cobras.

"We are thrilled to have Chris join our staff as the next leader of our men's soccer program," said Griffin. "He brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience within the game, as both a player and a coach. We are excited to have him continue to build on the foundation laid by Coach Leese."

"I am very grateful, excited, and blessed to be a part of a new chapter of the Cobra men's soccer program," Williams said. "Coker College has an excellent tradition, both in the classroom, and on the field of play. I am ready to share my philosophy and model of playing with a very talented group of young men."

Williams replaces Paul Leese, who left to become the head men's soccer coach at University of Texas-Pan America last month.

"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead, as I inherit a program from Coach Leese that has tasted success and has a rich tradition," added Williams. "We intend to continue building on that success in the future. We have a very busy spring ahead and I am eager to meet up with the team and begin training and playing."

Williams heads to Hartsville after most recently serving as the men's soccer assistant coach at the University of Northwestern Ohio for two years. During his time at UNOH he helped guide the Racers to a 24-9-7 record and back-to-back Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament appearances. In addition to assisting with the varsity team, he was the head coach of Racers' junior varsity squad, which sported a 14-1-3 record during his tenure.

As a player, Williams had a very successful playing career at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky where he won two national championships (2009, 2011). He was named the most valuable player of the NAIA National Championship as a sophomore and earned NAIA All-American honors all three years. He also earned All-Mid-South honors, as well as Academic All-Mid-South honors all three years at Lindsey Wilson.

Prior to Lindsey Wilson, Williams attended Holy Names University in Oakland, California, where he helped lead his team to a national tournament berth while being named Cal-Pac All-Conference and Defender of the Year.

A native of Flint, Wales, Williams graduated with honors from Lindsey Wilson in December 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Coaching Behavior. He was a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete during his junior and senior seasons. He and his wife Caitlin have two children, a son Rowan Rhys (3) and a daughter Cerys Anwen (5 weeks).