OU men's basketball: Former Tulsa great Pooh Williamson officially joins Lon Kruger's coaching staff
Alvin “Pooh” Williamson – a former University of Tulsa assistant coach and basketball player – is returning to his home state.
Williamson was officially named to Oklahoma’s basketball staff on Wednesday afternoon. The 45-year-old takes the vacancy left when Chris Crutchfield took a similar position at Arkansas.
"We're excited to welcome Coach Williamson and his family," OU coach Lon Kruger said in a statement. "Throughout his career, Pooh has built his reputation as a good teacher of the game, strong recruiter and respected mentor. He has lived, played and coached in Oklahoma and will be a fantastic fit to our staff and family."
Williamson, a Beggs native, spent the past season as an assistant coach on Jim Larranaga’s staff at the University of Miami. Prior to that, he’d spend time on his mentor Tubby Smith’s staff at Texas Tech (2013-16) and Memphis (2016-18).
“I'm thrilled about this opportunity to come back into the Big 12 and work with such a high-caliber leader in Coach Kruger,” Williamson said in a statement. “Having an opportunity to work with him and his staff at a program like Oklahoma enticed me a lot. I'm glad to be coming home to Oklahoma.”
Williamson was on John Phillips’ coaching staff at TU between 2001-04. He played for the Golden Hurricane between 1991-95 and was Smith’s first signee at the school.
Williamson was Tulsa’s interim head coach for 22 games during the 2004-05 season when Phillips stepped down on Christmas day. He led the Hurricane to a 7-15 mark during that time. TU and Williamson was also 5-13 in its final Western Athletic Conference season.
Williamson joins OU assistants Carlin Hartman (entering his third season) and recent hire Jim Molinari.
Williamson’s coaching career
(All as assistant unless noted)
1996-98: Washington State
1998-2000: Illinois State
2000-01: Tulane
2001-04: Tulsa
2004-05: Tulsa (interim head coach)
2005-07: Wichita State
2007-11: Texas A&M
2011-12: SMU
2012-13: TCU
2013-16: Texas Tech
2016-18: Memphis
2018-19: Miami
