ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Rockford University head athletic director Jess Stanek has announced that Bruce Williams will lead the Regents' women's basketball program as their new head coach.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Bruce Williams as our new head women's basketball coach," Stanek said. "He brings D3 experience and knowledge from some top programs. Bruce seems poised to lead a program, and I'm excited to watch him take the next step as a head coach."

Williams, a 1998 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, brings more than 20 years of coaching and leadership experience to Rockford.

Williams most recently served as associate head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he helped develop offensive and defensive game plans, prepared opponent scouting reports, coordinated recruiting, and influenced strategic in-game decisions. He also led the team's student leadership course, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. 

Previously, Williams was an assistant coach at Stevens Point and Cornell College. At Stevens Point, he helped guide the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade and coached two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference players. During his tenure at Cornell, he recruited and developed standout players, including a league-leading freshman who earned Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year and D3Hoops Region 9 Rookie of the Year honors.

Williams began his coaching career at Wild Rose High School in Wisconsin, where he spent a decade as head varsity girls basketball coach, winning three conference championships and mentoring two Conference Players of the Year. He also ran youth basketball camps for grades 3-12.

Beyond coaching, Williams has extensive leadership experience, including founding and directing a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving foster children, and serving as executive director of ancillary services at Wild Rose Hospital, overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, human resources, and strategic growth initiatives.

"I am deeply grateful to Jess Stanek and Rockford University for the opportunity to serve as the next head coach of the women's basketball program", said Williams, "I am truly excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to building something special here."