Harlan High School officials took their time filling the vacant football head coaching position, and they feel the choice was worth the wait. Former Middlesboro and University of Kentucky standout Brian Williams was introduced Friday as the new coach.
“I was pleased with the candidates that applied for the position. We had a lot of interest and conducted several rounds of interviews. We made sure to take our time to get the right fit for our school and program. We were able to narrow the field down to a couple of leading candidates, but Brian Williams’s resume and experience were simply impossible for anyone to match,” said Harlan High School Principal Britt Lawson. “We feel like we scored a two-point conversion in an overtime game for the win. This is an important hire for our football program and the entire HHS school community.”
Williams comes to Harlan from North Carolina Wesleyan where he has been an assistant coach since 2018. His extensive coaching journey covering more than three decades includes early stints at Ohio State, the University of Cincinnati, Fresno State and Pittsburgh. Before landing at N.C. Wesleyan, Williams also served as the associate head coach, defensive coordinator.and recruiting coordinator at the University of Pikeville. He spent four years at Texas A&M Commerce University and Alabama State, respectively.
Lawson says the selection committee members were diligent in their efforts to find a leader who has the expertise and disposition to help build a strong football foundation for the Green Dragons.
“We took this assignment very seriously and involved key people like former Head Coach J.B. Donahue and others to help us make the right selection. Mr. Williams has a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game. We felt strongly that he has the right disposition to inspire our student-athletes on the football field,” Lawson said. “The timing of this worked out to our benefit, with a desire to move back to the area and an opening for the head coaching position available, it was an opportunity we couldn’t let pass us by.”
Williams was a standout player at Middlesboro before graduating in 1982, then went on to play for Jerry Claiborne at the University of Kentucky. He earned second team All-SEC recognition as a senior before starting his coaching career.
Williams said he chose Harlan to get closer to family members in Kentucky.
“I have two kids in Lexington and my family in Middlesboro,” he said. “I felt like it’s important for me to get closer to them.”
The Green Dragons are coming off a 2-9 season in 2023 after finishing 8-4 in 2022. Harlan will host Hancock County, Tenn., in its season opener on Aug. 23 where the completion of a football complex renovation project will be marked.
