Last Updated on February 10, 2026 1:50 pm
The University of North Carolina Asheville community is mourning the loss of head track and field coach Joel Williams, who died on Saturday, February 7, after a battle with cancer.
Coaching Legacy
Williams dedicated 13 years to the UNC Asheville track and field program, serving as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach in 2020. During his tenure, he achieved remarkable success:
∙ Coached over 100 athletes to all-conference honors
∙ Led the program to 12 NCAA National Championship appearances
Roots in Local Athletics
Before joining UNC Asheville, Williams made significant contributions to high school athletics. At Watauga High School, he:
∙ Led the girls’ outdoor track program to three consecutive titles (1995-1997)
∙ Won the 1997 girls’ indoor championship
His coaching impact extended to the international stage, with two of his athletes reaching the Olympics:
∙ Abraham Morlu represented Liberia in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
∙ Brenda Taylor finished 7th in the women’s 400-meter hurdle finals in the 2004 Athens Olympics
Remembering a Remarkable Coach
Janet R. Core, UNC Asheville’s director of athletics, praised Williams’ character and impact. “He was a man of deep character who led with humility, integrity and a genuine love for his student-athletes,” Core said. “Joel had a rare ability to make everyone around him better, and his presence will be profoundly missed across our campus and within the track and field community.”
Memorial arrangements will be announced by the university at a later date.
Williams’ legacy lives on through the countless athletes he inspired and the culture of excellence he cultivated in track and field.
