Brooks Donald Williams led McNeese to its most successful season in school history in 2011 by wining the Southland Conference title, only the second in program history. Williams didn’t stop there as she guided the Cowgirls to their first Southland Conference Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament appearance. For her accomplishments on the court, Williams was named the league’s and Louisiana’s “Coach of the Year”.
Williams enters her fifth season after guiding the Cowgirls to a 26-7 overall record, 15-1 Southland Conference record and an undefeated home record (15-0). The 20 win season is the first for the Cowgirls in 24 years. The overall record matched the best turnaround in NCAA history following a 7-22 overall record in 2009-10. The 26 overall and the 15 conference wins are also school records. The Cowgirls got off to their best conference start (6-0) in school history and the 14-5 start was the best overall start in 14 years. McNeese tied the school’s longest winning streak (12 games) and won 19 of its last 21 games of the season. McNeese broke into a poll for the first time in school history, the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll Feb. 15, 2011, coming in at no. 25. The Cowgirls ended the season ranked No. 15 in the final poll.
On the court, Williams won her 50th career game in a 73-63 home victory over Northwestern State on Feb. 19, 2011 and has guided the Cowgirls to the Southland Conference Tournament three out of the last four years.
In 2009, McNeese picked up a milestone victory with a win over three-time National Champions Louisiana Tech. That year the Cowgirls shot a school record, led the Southland Conference (for the second straight year) and ranked 76th in the nation with a 71.8 free throw percent in 2009. The Cowgirls also ranked second in the SLC with a 34.3 three-point field goal percent.
Off the court, Williams and the Cowgirls have participated in numerous community service activities including the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk and the Jeff Davis Bank Toys for Tots drive for the past four years. Williams has ignited a fan following in the community, speaking to groups about her passion and motivation about the revival of the program. Williams’ community and local recruiting efforts have increased attendance 138% in two seasons. Williams was named one of Southwest Louisiana’s Up and Coming Under 40 recipients by the Times of Southwest Louisiana and Fusion Five Magazine in 2009.
In her first season, Williams guided the Cowgirls to a 10-21 record and second place tie in the East Division after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason polls. Williams led the Cowgirls to victories in four of their last six games and advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament.
Williams’ 2007-08 squad broke seven McNeese records (six team and one individual), tied two, and set a Southland Conference record with 16 three-pointers made in a road victory at Lamar. The Cowgirls also handed the Cardinals their first home loss of the season that night. The Cowgirls also upset longtime national powerhouse Stephen F. Austin and eventual Southland Conference Tournament champion and NCAA participant Texas-San Antonio.
McNeese ended the season leading the league in free throw shooting percent, ranked second in three-point field goals made and assist-turnover ratio, and ranked third in three-point field goal percent.
Williams, McNeese State’s ninth head coach, brought interest and excitement back to the Cowgirl program in her first season and continues to build something special at McNeese.
In her first full recruiting season at McNeese, Williams continued to show why she is a proven recruiter by signing the Louisiana 3A and 5A state MVP’s and the Northeast Louisiana “Player of the Year”. Most recently, Williams signed the 2009 Louisiana Sports Writers’ Miss Basketball and Class B outstanding player and MVP, along with two local all-state players and a national junior college scoring leader.
A native of Jennings, La., Williams spent three years at the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to her stint with the Lady Eagles, she spent one season at the University of Memphis and three years at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
A proven recruiter, Williams served as recruiting coordinator at all three universities. She signed several prep standouts throughout her recruiting years and all three recruiting classes at Southern Miss ranked among some of the best in the nation. She signed the Arkansas “Player of the Year”, Mississippi “Player of the Year”, a junior college All-American, as well as ten Top 100 players in the country.
While at Southern Miss, Williams helped the Eagles improve its program each year and went 15-15 her last season with a 9-7 record in Conference USA. Her 2005 class consisted of both the Mississippi and Arkansas prep player of the year as well as a junior college All-American. Her 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes included Louisiana all-state performers from Acadiana High, Jena High, Dominican High and Dutchtown High School.
Between college stops, Williams served temporarily as head coach at St. Thomas More High in Lafayette, La.
As a prep player at Jennings High, Williams earned All-State, All-Parish and All-District honors. She was a four-year starter and played in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association all-star game, serving as team captain. Her Jennings squad won four straight district titles.
Williams was also a member of the Acadiana Stars AAU program during her prep days, participating in state and national tournaments.
She was a member of the Lady Bulldogs squad at Mississippi State University, from which she holds a bachelor degree, but had her playing career was sidelined due to an injury.
Williams is the daughter of Jennings community members, David and Brenda Donald and the granddaughter and great niece of Dan L. Donald and Walter “Bunk” Donald, former Jennings business leaders and owners of W.B. Donald Chevrolet and Cadillac and founders of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co. Williams’ uncle, Dan Donald, currently serves as President of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co.
Year-by-Year
Season Record Conf. Finish
2010-11 26-7 15-1 1st
2009-10 7-22 3-13 T-10th
2008-09 14-16 6-10 7th
2007-08 10-21 8-8 T-2nd
TOT: 57-66 32-32
