On August 6, 2021, former Director of Athletics John Shuman announced Robert "Bob" Williams as the head coach of Fork Union Military Academy's postgraduate basketball program.
Under Williams' leadership, Fork Union has achieved an impressive 102-44 record over four years, averaging more than 25 wins per season. His tenure has seen 11 players advance to Division I schools, 45 players join college basketball rosters, two National Prep Championship Sweet 16 appearances, a league championship, and a Coach of the Year honor.
In the 2024–25 season, the Blue Devils posted a 25-12 overall record, including a 6-4 mark in the Elite Prep League. Four Blue Devils earned All-League honors, and Williams reached a significant milestone, recording his 500th career win in a victory over Southern Virginia University's JV squad on January 16.
This followed a record-setting 2023–24 campaign in which Fork Union went 31-7, captured the Elite Prep League Championship, and earned a berth in the National Prep Championship. That 31-win season stands as a new program record for the postgraduate team. The squad ranked as high as No. 4 nationally in the National Prep Poll in February. Standout point guard Jaden Johnson, who signed with Old Dominion University, was named Elite Prep League Player of the Year, and Williams received the 2024 Elite Prep League Coach of the Year award.
In his debut season at Fork Union, Williams guided the Blue Devils to a 27-11 record, a No. 3 National Prep Ranking (Jan. 22), and a Sweet 16 National Prep Championship appearance. Notable victories over Hargrave Military Academy, Brewster Academy, IMG, and Word of God highlighted a strong inaugural season.
Williams brought 24 years of collegiate head coaching experience to Fork Union, including a successful tenure at West Virginia University Tech from 2002 to 2019. At WVU Tech, he led the Golden Bears to the NAIA National Tournament in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019. His final season at Tech saw the team achieve a 30-5 record, the most wins in a single season for Williams. The 2018-19 team was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally (NAIA DII), and they won both the River States Conference regular season and championship titles.
Williams' accomplishments at WVU Tech include being named "Coach of the Year" three times, recording his 403rd career win, producing 14 All-Americans, and securing three conference championships.
Prior to WVU Tech, Williams was the head coach at Glenville State College from 1997-2002, where he revitalized the program, leading them to consecutive top 5 finishes and a 25-11 record over two seasons. He also served as head coach at Jefferson Community College (NY) from 1995-1997, achieving a 53-14 record and leading the team to back-to-back Final Fours and a National Championship game appearance. Williams' efforts earned him multiple "Coach of the Year" honors and induction into the Jefferson Community College Hall of Fame in August 2015.
Williams has also served as the associate head coach at Jefferson Community College, assistant coach at NCAA Division III Potsdam State (NY), and head coach at Indian River High School (NY). His coaching journey began as a student-assistant coach at Ithaca College (NY).
As a player, Williams excelled at Jefferson Community College and Ithaca College, setting several assist records and continuing his family's basketball legacy. His father, Bob Williams Sr., was a First Team All-American at Broome Community College (NY) and later had a distinguished 31-year coaching career.
Many of Williams' players have gone on to play professionally overseas. He has coached internationally and spoken at numerous basketball clinics, working with top coaches like Bobby Knight and Jay Wright.
Williams holds a degree in Physical Education and Health from Ithaca College and a Master's in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy. He has taught classes in WVU's Sport Management program and emphasizes the importance of academics and community involvement.
Williams also runs the historic Fork Union Basketball School at the Academy.
