Inducted: 2015
Head Coach – University of Oklahoma
Mark Williams has become a household name in the world of gymnastics. The University of Oklahoma head coach has had success at every level of the sport. He has established OU as the nation’s elite program with six national titles in 16 years. Williams is a 1980 graduate of the University of Nebraska. Coaching History: 2000-present-Oklahoma Head Coach; 1988-99-Oklahoma Assistant Coach; 1982-88-High School Coach.
NCAA Coaching Records: 2015 Team Ch ampions, 2008 Team Champions, 2006 Team Champions, 2005 Team Champions, 2003 Team Champions, 2002 Team Champions. 155 NCAA All-Americans; 28 NCAA Individual National Champions; Two USA Junior National All-Around Champions. Six 2nd place team finishes. Coached on eight NCAA National Championship Teams (1981, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2015).
Conference Coaching Records: 13 MPSF Conference Team Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000). Seven 2nd place team finishes.
Collegiate Career Coaching Highlights: 2015 National Coach of the Year, MPSF Coach of the Year, West Region Coach of the Year; West Region Coach of the Year; 2013 West Region Coach of the Year, MPSF Coach of the Year; 2012 West Region Coach of the Year, MPSF Coach of the Year; 2008 MPSF Coach of the Year; 2007 MPSF Coach of the Year; 2006 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year, MPSF Coach of the Year; 2005 National Coach of the Year; MPSF Coach of the Year; 2003 National Coach of the Year; MPSF Coach of the Year; 2002 National Coach of the Year, MPSF Coach of the Year; 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year, West Region NCAA Coach of the Year; 2000 MPSF Coach of the Year; 1994 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year; 1994 NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year.
International Coaching Assignments: 2014 U.S. World Championships Head Coach (Bronze Medal), 2011 U.S. World Championships Assistant Coach; 2010 World Championship Personal Coach; 2009 World Championship Personal Coach, USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year; National Coach of the Year, 2007 U.S. World Championships Assistant Coach, 2006 U.S. World Championships Head Coach; 2004 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach; 2003 World Championship Personal Coach; 2002 World Championship Personal Coach, 2001 World Championship Personal Coach; 1999 Pan American Games Head Coach; 1996 Assistant Olympic Coach; 1995 Assistant World Championship Coach; 1994 World Championship Personal Coach. 11-time USA International Team Coach.
International Coaching Accomplishments: Three Athletes on U.S. Olympic Teams; Seven athletes on World Championship Teams; Two Athletes on Pan American Games Team; Athlete on Pan American Championship Team; Three Athletes on World University Games Team; 15 athletes on USA Senior National Team; Eight athletes on Junior National Team.
Gymnastics Activities: NCAA Rules Committee Chair, 2005 and 2014; NCAA Rules Committee, 2002-2005, 2009-2014; NGJA Nationally Certified Judge, 1984-2001; F.I.G. Certified Judge, 1998-2004; USAG Men’s Program Committee Member, 1994-2000; U.S. Men’s Elite Coaches Association Sec./Treas. & Vice President, 1991-98; USAG Board of Directors Sr. Rep, 1996-98;
Athletic Accolades (Nebraska): NCAA Team Champion-1979 and 1980 (team member),
All-American High Bar-1978, Big Eight Champion High Bar-1978, U.S. Junior National Team Member-1975.
Family: wife, Susan & son, Cooper
Sources: University of Oklahoma Sports Information; Editing by Mark Williams; formatting by Assistant web manager Jerry Wright, author of Gymnastics Who’s Who-2010. Photos supplied by Mark Williams.
Special note: The above photo, of Mark Williams on the horizontal bar, came about as a result of a challenge to Mark from his team. After his team watched the movie “The Rookie,” his team told Mark that if they won the 2002 NCAA Nationals Mark would have to compete in the 2003 Rocky Mountain Open. At the age of 45 Mark did just that and did very well.
