James Williams has joined his former teammate Robert Lee on the men's basketball coaching staff at the University of Louisiana for the 2009-10 season.

Williams was a professional athlete and head coach on the international level. His hiring was announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 and he began his duties on July 1.

Williams played collegiately at Nicholls State with Lee, earned a bachelor's degree there and served as a graduate assistant coach while Lee was still a member of the Colonels' squad.

Williams went on to play professionally on the international level in Portugal and later Austria.

His coaching career began in 2001 when he served as the assistant basketball director for the Hall of Fame Sports Camp in Montclair, N.J. There he organized programs for youth, working with young players from many countries and different cultures.

His international coaching career began with Basket Clubs of Vienna, Austria, in 2001 when he served as Youth Coach. His team won the Vienna Championship and were the Austrian U-16 champions.

In 2002 he took over as head coach for Basket Clubs of Vienna - a team he played for - and remained in that capacity through 2007.

Williams has a history of developing programs for Youth. Most recently, in an assignment with Teamwork Basketball, he worked with national and international organizations to introduce Youth into basketball programs.

Before joining Lee's staff, he worked as a Cultural Orientation Trainer for the Hebrew Immigrant Society.   He taught U.S. Cultural classes for refugees and assisted in the operation of the not-for-profit, non-governmental organization.

Williams' professional playing days spanned from 1989-2001. His first stop was Estoril Praia Club in Portugal (1989-95). In 1992, he was a member of the African All-Star Tour Team and in 1997 joined Basket Clubs of Vienna, Austria where he played through 2001.

Williams earned an associate degree from Blinn College before transferring to Nicholls State where he played two seasons. He graduate from Nicholls State with a bachelor's degree in 1990.

The Hallettsville, Texas, native is married to the former Iris Nuedinger of Austria. The couple has one son, Noah.