Northwest Notes: July 16, 2026

Williams, who started NIC softball program,

steps down as coach at Southern Utah

CEDAR CITY, Utah — After seven seasons leading the Southern Utah softball program, Don Don Williams announced she is retiring from her position as head coach of the Thunderbirds. Williams, who has been in coaching for more than three decades, has accepted an athletic administration position at the University of Notre Dame beginning later this month. 

Before arriving at Southern Utah, Williams built one of the premier junior college softball programs in the country at North Idaho College. During her time with the Cardinals, she amassed 661 victories, won multiple conference championships, led teams to national tournament appearances, and helped North Idaho capture the 2018 NWAC Championship with a 50-3 record. Her accomplishments earned multiple Coach of the Year honors, including NWAC East Region Coach of the Year recognition in 2016 and 2018.

Williams was hired in August of 2019 and guided the program through one of the most transformative periods in its history, overseeing the team’s transition from the Big Sky Conference to the Western Athletic Conference and back while building a culture centered on competitive growth, academic excellence, and student-athlete development.

Williams’ coaching career began after a successful playing career at Linfield University in McMinnville, Ore., where she earned All-Conference and All-District honors before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. She later earned a master’s degree in adult and organizational learning and leadership from the University of Idaho.

“Coach Williams has had a lasting impact on Southern Utah Softball and the many student-athletes she has mentored throughout her career,” said interim athletic director Tom Higbee. “We are grateful for her dedication to our program and university and wish her nothing but success in the future.”

Williams concludes her tenure at Southern Utah following the 2026 season, during which the Thunderbirds finished 21-30, tying for the most victories during her time in Cedar City. The season included a conference tournament victory over Utah Tech and another All-WAC performer.

Over her final three seasons, Williams helped elevate the program’s competitiveness within the WAC. In 2025, Southern Utah earned a third-place regular-season conference finish and made its second consecutive appearance in the WAC Tournament. The Thunderbirds posted a 13-11 conference record, placed two student-athletes on the All-WAC Team, and earned three CSC Academic All-District selections.

The 2024 season marked another milestone in Williams’ coaching career as she collected her 700th career victory. That season, Southern Utah made its first appearance in the WAC Tournament and defeated rival Utah Tech to advance to the second round.