Skip to main content
Athletics

Kirkwood’s Williams to Retire Following Storied Coaching Career

By March 1, 2023March 6th, 2023No Comments
Jill-Williams-with-Player

Longtime volleyball coach to leave program as Eagle’s all-time leader in wins

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 1, 2023)–Kirkwood Community College Head Volleyball Coach Jill Williams has announced her intent to retire following 18 seasons of leading the program. She will finish her career as the all-time winningest coach in team history with a record of 525-244 overall.

Williams became the head coach of the Kirkwood’s volleyball program in 2005, following previous stints as an assistant coach for both Quincy University (1996-1998) and Upper Iowa University (1998-2004). Under her leadership, the Eagles claimed seven Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) championships. Her teams qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament nine times, highlighted by a fourth place finish in 2018. Williams coached 21 All-Americans during her tenure, including 10 first-team selections. Her 149 wins in the ICCAC against just 32 losses amounts to a stellar conference winning percentage of .823, and she will finish in the top-20 among active NJCAA coaches in terms of overall record.

According to Williams, coaching at Kirkwood has been an incredible experience.

“It’s been an honor to coach Eagles volleyball for nearly two decades,” said Williams. “We’ve done some great things at Kirkwood and I’ll never forget how wonderful it’s been. As I close this chapter there are so many people to thank. From our players to the fans to the coaches and staff, their support has always been amazing and our success would not have happened without each and every one of them. Honestly, this decision is bittersweet because we’re such a close-knit family. Even though I won’t be on the bench, I’ll still be cheering on the next generation of players and coaches. I will always be an Eagle.”

To Kirkwood Athletic Director Doug Wagemester, the impact of Williams’ retirement will be felt both on and off the court.

“I, along with the rest of the Kirkwood coaches and staff, want to congratulate Coach Williams on a remarkable career,” said Wagemester. “She achieved so much during her time here, both on and off the volleyball court. Her legacy won’t be limited solely to what she did on match days, but also about helping our student-athletes be strong in the face of adversity off the court as well. While we are sad to see Jill go, her retirement is well-earned and we wish her the very best.”

Williams will officially retire in August. The search to find Kirkwood’s next volleyball coach will begin in the coming weeks.