For the third time this year Colorado State University introduced a new coach for one of it’s major sports teams. Monday the Rams introduced Ryun Williams as the new head man for it’s women’s basketball team. Williams replaces Kristen Holt, who agreed to resign after four years following a 13-17 season this past year at CSU. 

Williams, Wyoming’s Mr. Basketball in 1988 as a senior at Campbell County High School, has a career coaching record of 311-190 in 17 seasons, including a 76-46 mark the past four years at South Dakota. The Coyotes went 23-8 this past season, their fourth as an NCAA Division I program, and advanced to the second round of the Women’s NIT. Williams previously guided Wayne (Neb.) State to a 182-105 mark in 10 season there, including an NCAA Division II Regional semifinal appearance in 2007-08, his final season there.

But, Williams said he wouldn’t have left South Dakota for most coaching jobs. The opportunity to become the new women’s basketball coach at CSU was one he couldn’t turn down.

”I’ve always looked at this job, and I think most people would agree that it’s kind of a wow job,” Williams said Monday at a news conference introducing him as the Rams new coach. ”First of all, Fort Collins. … This is a very, very neat community. We have family here in Fort Collins … We know how special it is, and to be able to bring a recruit here, with the fine people and what this place has to offer, why can’t we be very, very good here and get really, really good players?”

Williams agreed to a five-year contract with CSU that will pay him a base salary of $150,000 a year with bonuses for meeting the NCAA’s expected graduation rates and not committing any major rules infractions worth another $37,500 annually, Graham said. He can earn bonuses of $25,000 apiece for winning 20 games or a conference title, up to a maximum of $62,500 for advancing to the NCAA Tournament. There’s an additional $50,000 bonus available, should his team reach the Sweet 16.

How’s this pay rank among other women’s college basketball coaches? Here is a list of the highest paid coaches from last season.

All 11 players eligible to return next season, as well as the five recruits who signed with the Rams last fall and this spring, affirmed their commitment to the program following Williams’ hiring.

 

 

 

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