Meet Mike Williams: The Newest Addition to the Portland Trail Blazers Coaching Staff
The Portland Trail Blazers have appointed Mike Williams as an assistant coach, making him the first addition to new head coach Micah Nori’s coaching staff. Williams comes to the Blazers after serving as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz under head coach Will Hardy for the past three seasons. Prior to his time with the Jazz, Williams was the head coach of the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ G League affiliate, from 2021-2023. He also worked as a player development assistant coach with the Wizards from 2018-2021 under head coach Scott Brooks.
Interestingly, Williams has previous ties to the Trail Blazers organization, having started his NBA career as a player development intern with the Blazers during the 2018 offseason. He was also a candidate for the Blazers’ head coaching position in May, reaching the later stages of the selection process, according to reports from The Stein Line contributor Jake Fischer and NBA reporter Chris Haynes.
Williams is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in multi-platform journalism in 2017 and a master’s degree in business and management in 2018. In a recent article on the university’s Robert H. Smith School of Business website, Williams shared insights into his responsibilities with the Jazz, which included designing individual workout plans for players and contributing to game strategies.
In conclusion, the Portland Trail Blazers have added Mike Williams to their coaching staff, bringing his experience from the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards to the team. Williams’ background in player development and coaching makes him a valuable addition to the Blazers as they prepare for the upcoming season under new leadership.