NEWARK, Del. - - Wilmington University Director of Athletics Dr. Stefanie Whitby and the athletics department would like to introduce James Williams as the new head coach of the track and field programs. His tenure officially begins Monday, February 9.

James Williams becomes the third coach in the track and field era and begins competition with the 2026 outdoor season.

"We are thrilled to welcome James to the Wildcat family," Director of Athletics Dr. Stefanie Whitby said. "His extensive experience at both the high school and college levels will bring immediate value to our program, especially in strengthening our recruiting efforts. Our men's and women's track programs have had a strong start to the 2025-26 season, and we look forward to building on that momentum moving forward."

The Philadelphia native has coached at the high school and college level throughout the area for the past 25 years. He comes to Wilmington following a three-year stint as the head track and field and cross country coach at Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

In his three years with the Crusaders, Williams produced PIAA District 12 AA Track and Field Championships for both the boys' and girls' teams in 2025, as well as back-to-back PIAA District 12 AA Boys Cross Country Championships in 2024 and 2025. He helped produce 23 All-Philadelphia Catholic League Track and Field student-athletes as well as 15 more in cross country.

Other Philadelphia area high school head coaching stints include Martin Saints Classical, Bishop McDevitt, and Cardinal O'Hara.

Prior to dominating in the high school realm, Williams' coaching career started in the NCAA ranks. His coaching career started as the inaugural head track and field and cross country coach at Gwynedd Mercy College in 1999, before he moved on to be the head coach at West Chester University in 2002. He also coached at Cabrini College for five seasons and then at Cheyney University from 2009 to 2015 before getting into the high school ranks.

Williams will lead the Wildcats into outdoor competition starting in March. The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championships are set to start on May 2 in Lakewood, New Jersey.