Maurice Williams

Maurice “Mo” Williams returns for his fourth season as the head coach of the Sea Gull men’s basketball team in 2022-23. William's second season as head coach saw the Sea Gulls participate in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Salisbury was able to compete in seven games during the 2020-21 season for a record of 4-3. Williams was able to put together a competitive schedule despite the uncertainties that came with competing during the pandemic, including matchup with No. 1 ranked Randolph Macon.

Salisbury finished Williams’ first season at the helm with 10 wins and a Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament appearance. Salisbury picked up steam during the 2019-20 season with an upset 88-80 win over then sixth-ranked Marietta in the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 28, 2019. That win sparked a span of four wins in five games, including a three-game winning streak to start 2020. After the season, Salisbury claimed two All-CAC honorees in Gary Briddell and Mike Ward, who received first-team and second-team awards respectively.

Williams returned to Salisbury after a tenure with Division I Longwood University where he helped engineer one of the biggest year-by-year turnarounds in Division I during the 2018-19 season. During his stint at Longwood, Williams helped bring the Lancers the most Division I wins in school history along with its first postseason appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in 2019. That appearance in the CBI saw the Lancers’ first postseason win with a dominating 90-68 win over Southern Miss.

During his time at Longwood, Williams coached the Lancers to the most three-point field goals made in a season (333), most three-point field goals made per game (9.8) and the Big South leader in defensive field-goal percentage (41.1 percent). Williams also helped Lorenzo “Shabooty” Phillips to Big South Newcomer of the Year and All-Big South Honorable Mention accolades.

The Columbus, Ohio native has Division III experience as well with assistant coaching stints at Johns Hopkins, Eastern, Stevenson and Frostburg State along with a time at Salisbury. Williams has already collected two 20-win seasons, been part of two conference coaching staffs of the year, two conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Williams' most recent Division III coaching success came from Johns Hopkins, where he was part of a coaching staff that earned first-year head coach Josh Loeffler Centennial Conference Coach of the Year and NABC Middle Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors. Williams' role on Loeffler's bench was to assist in all aspects of the program, from recruiting to player development and opponent scouting.

In Williams' one year alongside Loeffler at Johns Hopkins, the Blue Jays reached 20 wins for only the second time in the past decade and won the Centennial Championship for the first time since 2014. Johns Hopkins finished the season ranked No. 12 in the nation and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual Final Four participant, MIT.

Williams also played a key role in another 'Conference Coach of the Year' staff at Salisbury during the 2014-15 season. Williams helped the Sea Gulls to a 21-8 record before moving onto the CAC Championship. It was the first 20-win season in over 18 years for the Sea Gull basketball program. Salisbury head coach Josh Merkel earned CAC Coach of the Year honors for that season, which included a trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament and a first-round win over Eastern Connecticut State. Williams played a large role in the development of All-CAC players Wyatt Smith and Gordon Jeter with skill development.

Williams entered the coaching ranks after a decorated playing career at Frostburg State. He captained the Bobcats and earned All-CAC First Team honors in 2012. During his senior season, Williams led the CAC in points per game, offensive rebounds and free-throw percentage.

Along with his coaching posts, Williams has also held teaching and academic advisory positions at the Community College of Baltimore County, Frostburg State, and in the Wicomico County Public Schools system in Maryland.

Williams was selected by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) during the 2018-19 season to be featured in the “Next Generation” series. https://www.nabc.com/social/ne...

Williams earned his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical education, from Frostburg State in 2011 with a minor in coaching. Williams received a Master of Science in Recreation and Sports Science from Ohio University in 2015.