Upper Iowa University Athletics

Jill Williams was inducted into the Upper Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame as a coach. Williams graduated from Upper Iowa in 1993 and was a pivotal member of both the volleyball and basketball teams in her time in Peacock blue and white. She graduated with a degree in physical education and recreational administration. 

After her graduation from Upper Iowa, Williams was named as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Quincy University from 1996-98 before returning to Fayette and the Peacock volleyball program as an assistant coach from 1998-2004. In the spring of 2005, Williams joined the Kirkwood Community College athletics department as the head volleyball coach. She retired after last season in a dual role as both the head volleyball coach and sports information and student enrichment coordinator.

Williams is a nine-time District Coach of the Year, and one-time ICCAC Conference Coach of the Year. She has compiled 525 collegiate victories, highlighted by an unparalleled run of success over the course of 18 years at Kirkwood. In 18 years, KCC only lost 32 matches in conference play. Williams led the Eagles to seven Iowa Community College Athletic Conference regular-season championships and nine postseason berths to the NJCAA Division II Tournament. Kirkwood placed in the top nine in all eight appearances in the national tournament. 

Williams has coached 21 All-Americans, as well as 145 combined all-region and all-conference selections at Kirkwood including one ICCAC Player of the Year since the award started in 2016.