University of Houston brings in SFA’s Ben Williams as 7th head coach in program history

HOUSTON – Reigning Southland Conference Champion and 2024 Southland Conference Coach of the Year Ben Williams has been named the seventh head coach in University of Houston Soccer history, pending approval from the UH System Board of Regents, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Eddie Nuñez announced.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ben Williams to the University of Houston family,” Nuñez said. “His track record as a proven winner, including his time in the Big 12 Conference at Oklahoma State and his championship success most recently at Stephen F. Austin makes him a tremendous addition to lead our program. We are excited for the leadership he will bring as we strive to excel and content at the highest level in the Big 12.”

Williams comes to Houston after one season at SFA where he led the Ladyjacks to the Southland Conference Regular Season and Tournament championship, and the largest single season turnaround in Division I with 14 wins. As Southland Coach of the Year, the conferences’ Midfielder, Defender, Freshman and Student-Athlete of the Year as well as the Tournament MVP. Eight players earned All-Conference honors in his lone season in the Piney Woods.

SFA’s regular season conference championship was its first since 2020 and its conference tournament title was the Ladyjacks first since 2012. The program’s 14 victories en route to the NCAA Tournament marked the most since 2014. SFA ranked fourth in the NCAA with 3.0 goals per game while ranking seventh nationally with 13 shutouts. Academically, the Ladyjacks posted a 3.63 fall GPA and 3.48 spring GPA.

“I am truly honored to join the University of Houston and lead the soccer program,” Williams said. “I’m incredibly eager to return to the city where I spent four fantastic years. It’s a rare privilege to represent a city you love. I am excited to begin this journey and connect with our student-athletes, coaches and support staff to cultivate a culture of excellence in Houston. I am deeply grateful to Eddie Nunez and the entire administration for placing their trust and confidence in me. There’s a lot of work ahead, with the vision and resources in place, we’re ready to build something the Houston community can take pride in.”

Prior to his time in Nacogdoches, Texas, Williams spent the 2023 season as the Associate Head Coach at UTSA where the Roadrunners set the program record for the fewest goals conceded (13).

Williams spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at Miami (OH) where he helped lead the Redhawks to the most goals scored since 2016. He was promoted to Associate head coach for the 2022-23 season when they reached the Mid-American Conference Tournament Semi Final, capping the best season since 2015. Four players earned All-MAC Conference honors that season.

Before joining the RedHawks, Williams was the Girls’ ECNL Director and Coach at Albion Hurricanes FC since July 2017, while also working as the AHFC Royals WPSL as a head coach.

During his time with Albion Hurricanes FC, the club earned its highest ranking of 30th with 90 athletes recruited to play in the college ranks during his tenure. He also mentored multiple youth and full national team players, including players for the United States, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, and Mexico.

Prior to the Hurricanes, Williams’ first coaching stop in the college ranks as a volunteer assistant coach at Oklahoma State University from 2015-2017. While in Stillwater, he helped the Cowgirls to two Big 12 Tournament Appearances and a 2016 NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Liverpool, England, native graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. In four seasons with the Eagles, Williams won three regular season conference championships, two conference tournament championships and participated in four national tournaments, making it to the Elite 8 in 2013.

Williams also played two seasons in the Premier Development League for Vermont Voltage. He holds a USSF A License, NSCAA Premier License, NSCAA Level 3 Goalkeeping Diploma.