Womens Hoops Hires New Assistant!

[pdiddybull32]

USF Women’s Hoops Hires Jaida Williams As Assistant Coach  

Tampa, FL (June 22, 2006) – University of South Florida head women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez filled

one of his two assistant coaching positions today when he announced the hiring of Jaida Williams.

“I am extremely excited and look forward to working with Jaida,†said Fernandez. “She is young, energetic, and has a tremendous work ethic, and I feel that she has a very bright future in our profession. She will also be heavily involved in recruiting and, with her playing experience, will be great asset in the development of our players.â€Â

A native of Miami, Williams comes to USF after serving as Director of Basketball Operations at Iowa last season where she worked closely with the basketball staff and athletic administration to help coordinate the programs day-to-day activities.

Williams began her collegiate coaching career during the 2004-05 campaign as an assistant at her alma mater, California State Polytechnic University at Pomona (CPP), where she served as an assistant coach overseeing academics, scouting, and recruiting. She also assisted is game preparation.

A 2005 graduate of CPP, Williams received her bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her two years in Pomona, Williams was a standout on the women’s basketball team where she helped the Broncos to a 23-7 record, including a 17-5 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association during the 2003-04 campaign. Cal Poly would advance to the NCAA Tournament Regional Final before falling to Seattle Pacific 80-63.

Prior to her time on the West Coast, Williams began her collegiate career at Barry University where she was signed by current USF head coach Jose Fernandez while he was an assistant with the Buccaneers. Williams would not play for Fernandez, however, since he left to become an assistant with the Bulls in the spring of 2000.

While at Barry, Williams helped the Buccaneers to a 21-9 record and an 8-6 ledger in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) as a freshman. She was fourth in scoring, averaging nine points per game, and second in rebounding grabbing 7.7 per contest. For her efforts during her rookie campaign, she was named to the SSC All-Freshmen Team.

Williams would follow up her inaugural season at Barry by leading the team in both scoring and rebounding averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds during the 2001-02 season. She would be named first team All-SSC and was also recognized by Kodak as second team all-region and was tabbed a Kodak All-American honorable mention.

The Bulls are coming off the most memorable season in the programs history. USF finished with a 19-12 record and a 9-7 slate in their first year in the BIG EAST Conference. In addition the Bulls advanced to their first-ever NCAA Tournament earning a No. 9 seed in the Bridgeport Region. They faced the No. 8 seed USC in the first round in Norfolk, VA losing to the Women of Troy 67-65.