Corliss Williamson, a former NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and NBA champion, has left his post as the head coach of Central Arkansas' men's basketball team to join the Sacramento Kings' coaching staff, according to reports.
Williamson, nicknamed "Big Nasty" during his playing career, may be brought in to change the culture and losing attitude Sacramento has been plagued by the last few years.
While Williamson was never an NBA All-Star, he did snag a Sixth Man of the Year award in 2001-2002 with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 13.1 points and 4.6 points per game off the bench. Williamson also logged 20 minutes a night for the 2004 title-winning Pistons, averaging 9.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game on a group that eventually defeated the fearsome duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Despite his success in Detroit, Williamson's best individual campaigns came as a member of the Kings, who drafted him 13th overall in the 1995 draft.
"I honestly couldn't see myself leaving for any situation other than an opportunity to go back to Sacramento," Williamson said. "It's a place where I cut my teeth as a rookie in the NBA, spent over half of my career there. It's an area that reminds me a lot of Arkansas, with the people, the fans they have there. It's just a great opportunity that I have now to return there and be able to coach at the highest level."
As a coach at Central Arkansas, Williamson has been markedly less successful than he was as a player. Williamson's record over three seasons with Central Arkansas is 26-62, although the program did improve steadily each season.
Central Arkansas athletic director Brad Teague thanked Williamson for the foundation he left at the upstart school in a statement that read:
"His hard work is now showing in the level of talent and character his student-athletes bring to our program. We appreciate all he has done for UCA basketball to lay a foundation for future success. The Sacramento Kings will now have a valuable coaching assistant for their team and community. I know Corliss will contribute greatly to their success and we wish him well.
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