Tennessee State names Williams as basketball coach

Apr 14, 2012 - 12:31 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee State has elevated assistant Travis Williams to head men's basketball coach.

Williams replaces John Cooper, who left to take the job at Miami-Ohio.

A native of Tifton, Ga., Williams served as an assistant at TSU the last three seasons.

Cooper was the head coach at Tennessee State University for the past three seasons. This past year he led the Tigers to a 20-13 record, the school's first winning season since 1995-96, and an 11-5 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. Cooper almost led his team to the NCAA Tournament, but they lost to Murray State in the OVC Tournament title game.

"I am truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve as the 16th head coach at TSU," said Williams. "It's with great honor and pride to serve Tennessee State University and the Nashville community. I will strive to represent TSU in a first class manner at all times by working hard and expecting my student-athletes to do the same. Our goal is to ensure our student-athletes graduate, while maintaining their competitive intensity and desire to win the OVC Championship."