University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Great, MLB Vet Joins Staff
1/3/2024 2:15:00 PM | Baseball
Cougar record holder, 15-year MLB veteran Woody Williams added to pitching staff
HOUSTON – University of Houston Baseball Head Coach Todd Whitting announced the addition of Cougar legend Woody Williams as Director of Pitching Strategy and Development on Wednesday.
The 15-year Major League Baseball veteran joins the Cougar Baseball staff after serving as the Texas Longhorns pitching coach in 2023, helping the Longhorns win a share of the 2023 Big 12 Regular Season Title.
"I am thrilled to welcome Cougar great Woody Williams home to assist Coach Sean Kenny with our pitching staff," Whitting said. "Coach Williams' success as not only as a Major League player but also leading the pitching staffs at San Jac and Texas will be a huge asset for our student athletes. Woody has been a great supporter of his alma mater over the years and I can't think of a better individual to be our Director of Strategy and Pitching Development."
While at Texas, Williams led the Longhorns to the 10th lowest ERA in the nation at 4.18 highlighted by allowing just nine runs in their sweep of the Coral Gables Regional.
"I'm excited to return to The University of Houston where I experienced success as a player and I look forward to doing the same as a member of the baseball staff," Williams said. "My passion is pouring into the lives of young men and developing them to the best of my and their ability. Go Coogs!"
The Longhorns matched Oklahoma State with a Big 12 Conference-best four pitchers selected in the 2023 MLB Draft including D1Baseball First-Team All-American Lucas Gordon who was selected in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox.
Under Williams' guidance, Gordon became the eighth Texas student-athlete to be named Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year. The Longhorns led the league with two First-Team All-Conference starting pitchers as Gordon was joined by Lebarron Johnson Jr.
Prior to his time at Texas, Williams spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at San Jacinto College, helping lead the Gators to the Junior College World Series five times. Prior to joining San Jac, Williams coached three years at Fort Bend Christian Academy and spent two seasons with the Houston Heat.
Prior to his 20-year professional baseball career, he was a two-way standout for the Cougars (1987-88). In 1987, Williams served as the starting shortstop before leading the 1988 team in ERA (3.32), wins (9), innings (100.1) as both a shortstop and starting pitcher.
The 15-year Major League Baseball veteran pitched for four different teams from 1993 to 2007. In 2003 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Williams became the fourth Cougar to be named an MLB All-Star going 18-9 with a 3.87 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 220.2 innings.
While Williams was on staff at San Jacinto College the Gators sent numerous players onto Division I baseball as well as to the Major League Baseball draft, highlighted by 2019 first round pick RHP Jackson Rutledge.
Williams had an accomplished MLB career, pitching for 15 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros. He logged more than 2,000 innings pitched and won 132 games with a 4.19 career ERA.
As Director of Pitching Strategy and Development, Williams helps bolster a pitching staff overseen by coaching veteran Sean Kenny who spent the last 14 seasons with Power 5 programs including seven as Georgia's pitching coach.
Williams and his wife, Kim, have five children – Katelyn, Sarah, Hannah, Lily, and Caden.
BUY SEASON TICKETS
The 2024 baseball season is set to be the biggest one yet, with four 2023 NCAA Regional teams set to play at Don Sanders Field at Schroeder Park in a 34-game home schedule including five Big 12 Conference home series. Click here to buy new season tickets as low as $136 per seat ($4 per game).
RENEW SEASON TICKETS
Ready to renew your season tickets? Click here to ensure you don't miss any of the action during the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in the same great seats!
BUY FLEX PLAN
Can't make all 34 games this season? No problem, buy a flex plan and pick which games you want to attend in 2024 (excluding the Texas series April 12-14 – flex plan game selection begins in January).
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
The 15-year Major League Baseball veteran joins the Cougar Baseball staff after serving as the Texas Longhorns pitching coach in 2023, helping the Longhorns win a share of the 2023 Big 12 Regular Season Title.
"I am thrilled to welcome Cougar great Woody Williams home to assist Coach Sean Kenny with our pitching staff," Whitting said. "Coach Williams' success as not only as a Major League player but also leading the pitching staffs at San Jac and Texas will be a huge asset for our student athletes. Woody has been a great supporter of his alma mater over the years and I can't think of a better individual to be our Director of Strategy and Pitching Development."
While at Texas, Williams led the Longhorns to the 10th lowest ERA in the nation at 4.18 highlighted by allowing just nine runs in their sweep of the Coral Gables Regional.
"I'm excited to return to The University of Houston where I experienced success as a player and I look forward to doing the same as a member of the baseball staff," Williams said. "My passion is pouring into the lives of young men and developing them to the best of my and their ability. Go Coogs!"
The Longhorns matched Oklahoma State with a Big 12 Conference-best four pitchers selected in the 2023 MLB Draft including D1Baseball First-Team All-American Lucas Gordon who was selected in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox.
Under Williams' guidance, Gordon became the eighth Texas student-athlete to be named Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year. The Longhorns led the league with two First-Team All-Conference starting pitchers as Gordon was joined by Lebarron Johnson Jr.
Prior to his time at Texas, Williams spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at San Jacinto College, helping lead the Gators to the Junior College World Series five times. Prior to joining San Jac, Williams coached three years at Fort Bend Christian Academy and spent two seasons with the Houston Heat.
Prior to his 20-year professional baseball career, he was a two-way standout for the Cougars (1987-88). In 1987, Williams served as the starting shortstop before leading the 1988 team in ERA (3.32), wins (9), innings (100.1) as both a shortstop and starting pitcher.
The 15-year Major League Baseball veteran pitched for four different teams from 1993 to 2007. In 2003 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Williams became the fourth Cougar to be named an MLB All-Star going 18-9 with a 3.87 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 220.2 innings.
While Williams was on staff at San Jacinto College the Gators sent numerous players onto Division I baseball as well as to the Major League Baseball draft, highlighted by 2019 first round pick RHP Jackson Rutledge.
Williams had an accomplished MLB career, pitching for 15 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros. He logged more than 2,000 innings pitched and won 132 games with a 4.19 career ERA.
As Director of Pitching Strategy and Development, Williams helps bolster a pitching staff overseen by coaching veteran Sean Kenny who spent the last 14 seasons with Power 5 programs including seven as Georgia's pitching coach.
Williams and his wife, Kim, have five children – Katelyn, Sarah, Hannah, Lily, and Caden.
BUY SEASON TICKETS
The 2024 baseball season is set to be the biggest one yet, with four 2023 NCAA Regional teams set to play at Don Sanders Field at Schroeder Park in a 34-game home schedule including five Big 12 Conference home series. Click here to buy new season tickets as low as $136 per seat ($4 per game).
RENEW SEASON TICKETS
Ready to renew your season tickets? Click here to ensure you don't miss any of the action during the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in the same great seats!
BUY FLEX PLAN
Can't make all 34 games this season? No problem, buy a flex plan and pick which games you want to attend in 2024 (excluding the Texas series April 12-14 – flex plan game selection begins in January).
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
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