Rhythm. The steady pulse that keeps everything moving. It could be a sound or a movement, a breath or a heartbeat. But for new varsity boys basketball coach Allen Williams, the new rhythm is found in the silence. 

    During one practice this year, the only sounds were the squeak of sneakers and pop of basketballs hitting the court. Standing in the center, Williams watched his players and gave only the occasional tip, his words echoing off the beige-colored concrete walls of the gym.  

     Shorecrest recently hired Williams to be the next head coach after the departure of former coach Barry Bearden. Williams is familiar with the Shorecrest courts, coaching basketball at the school before departing and co-founding The Basketball Warehouse Academy, a non-profit organization that offers training in basketball and tutoring for kids across the Tampa Bay area. 

     Now, Williams is enjoying stepping back into the role of coach for the Chargers team. Armed with experience, he’s excited to teach players not just basketball, but also important life lessons.    

     “Just keep doing what you do,” he tells his players. “We worked on it. If you are good at something, no matter the outcome, you continue to do it because you’ve worked on it, you’ve prepared for it.”  

     Williams, a starting guard for the University of North Alabama in 1990 and 1991, won a Division II National Championship in 1991 with the Lions. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame at the university in 2011. He says the championship was one of the most memorable parts of his career.

     “We were the very first [Division II] team to play on national television, so that was exciting in itself…[but] I learned a lot of life lessons. That’s one of the biggest things outside of just playing the game and enjoying playing basketball,” he said.

     But Williams isn’t the only one excited this season.

     “I’m excited to work with him. It’s sad to see Coach B leave because of how well I knew him. He was kind of a mentor to me…but I’m excited for this season. I’m excited about the new culture that Coach Williams might bring to the program,” sophomore Sonny Dua said.

     Athletic Director Anthony McCall described Williams as the “best fit,” saying he “checked all the boxes” for what he was looking for in a basketball coach. 

     “He and I are on the same page, meaning we’re all about developing our student-athletes. He understands the wins and losses.  They’re important, but not as important as investing in the lives of our student-athletes,” McCall said.

     While Williams is coaching varsity, he was supposed to be supporting the JV team as well, but there ended up not being a JV team this year after not enough players signed up.

     “He will have his hand on every team, which is something else I really like about him. His willingness to be involved with each team, every day or as much as his schedule allows,” McCall said. 

     Williams and the team will continue to develop a bond throughout the season that will not only allow them to play with execution but also with the rhythm Williams instills in them.

     “We’re a more determined team, we play with a chip on our shoulder now,” Dua said. “But we’re also a very exciting team…we’re ready to bring it back.”