Mike Williams - Grand Valley State University Women's Basketball Head Coach, D2 2025 & 2026 National Champions - Episode 1246

Mike Williams is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Grand Valley State University where he just led the Lakers to back to back D2 National Championships in 2025 and 2026. In his 11 years at the helm of the Laker program, he has amassed a 314-50 (.863) overall record and a 188-28 (.870) record in the GLIAC. He has led the Lakers to six GLIAC regular season titles, four GLIAC Tournament titles, four Midwest Regional titles, and two National Championships.

This is the second stint for Williams at GVSU, as he was an assistant coach with the Lakers from 2002-2007, which included winning the 2006 Division II National Championship.

Williams spent four seasons as the head coach at Davenport, where he compiled an outstanding 130-11 (.922) overall record. Before becoming the head coach at Davenport, Williams spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan. He was also responsible for starting the women's basketball program at Finlandia (NCAA Division III) in Hancock, Mich. In his three seasons as head coach (1999-2000 to 2001-02), the team owned a 44-33 (.571) record.

Williams coached for a number of years at the high school level, where he was head coach of the girls varsity team at Hancock High School from 1989 to 2000. Those teams recorded a 207-51 (.802) mark, winning eight district championships and four regional titles. For five seasons, he was also the head coach of the varsity boys team at Hancock, owning a 72-36 (.667) record.

He began his coaching career at Ironwood High School, as head coach of the girls varsity team in 1986. A few years later, Williams moved to the collegiate ranks, serving as an assistant coach during the 1988-89 season with at Michigan Tech.

On this episode Mike and Mike discuss how Grand Valley State won consecutive Division II national championships in 2025 and 2026. Wiliams shares the importance of fostering a unique team identity and the necessity of cultivating leadership among players, particularly following the loss of seasoned seniors. Coach Williams shares poignant reflections on the emotional landscape of victory, contrasting it with the weighty burden of defeat, and articulates the strategies employed to mitigate pressure while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. Our discussion also highlights the meticulous preparation required during tournament play, underscoring the balance between individual player development and team cohesion. Williams offers listeners a profound understanding of the dedication and strategic thinking that lead to back to back National Championships.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Get ready to take some notes as you listen to this episode with Mike Williams, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Grand Valley State University, back to back D2 National Champions in 2025 and 2026.

Website - https://gvsulakers.com/sports/womens-basketball

Email - willimi@gvsu.edu

Twitter/X - @Mike_WilliamsGV @gvsuwbb

Visit our Sponsors!

Give With Hoops

Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.

D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook

Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off!

Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

Wealth4Coaches

Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support

Twitter/X

Podcast - @hoopheadspod

Mike - @hdstarthoops

Jason - @jsunkle

Instagram

@hoopheadspod

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ