Tom Williams Position: Assistant Coach - Vaults/Multi-Events

In a program known for its ability to produce nationally ranked pole vaulters, Tom Williams didn't take long to make a name for himself.

In just his first year with the program, he celebrated with two Big 12 champions (Michael Westlund and Leslie Dunlap), produced six ÑCAA qualifiers and had one vaulter earn All-America honors twice. Another was named a USA Track and Field Junior National All-American. He also assisted in the development of Justin Conkling, a 2001 Big 12 Indoor champion in the heptathlon and an NCAA All-American in the decathlon, and Janel Hayes, the 2001 Big 12 Indoor long jump champion.

Williams, who joined the staff in September 2000, was affiliated with the University of Nebraska's track and field program for nine years as a student-athlete, graduate assistant and assistant coach.

A successful coach in the highly successful Husker track and field program, he coached the 2000 Big 12 Outdoor pole vault champion and NCAA Indoor All-American, Eric Eshbach. He also coached the 1996 Big Eight outdoor runner-up in the pole vault, Tom Richmond, and the 1998 NCAA women's outdoor pole vault runner-up, Kim Stewart. In addition to serving as the primary vault coach for the Huskers, Williams also served as an assistant with the multi-event athletes and jumpers. While at Nebraska, he served on the coaching staff of Husker teams that won 11 conference championships.

Since becoming a coach, Williams has worked with five All-America vaulters.

A former vaulter himself, Wiliams was a 1991 NJCAA All-American at Johnson County Community College. He won the 1989 Kansas 6A state title in the pole vault while competing for Lawrence High School and was a member of the Husker track and field team from 1991-94. He completed a master's degree in education December 1998 after earning his undergraduate degree in secondary education at Nebraska in 1993.