'A perfect fit at the perfect time'

After 22 years, an NJCAA runner-up finish in 2007 and back-to-back Northwest Athletic Conference softball championships in 2018 and 2019, North Idaho College coach Don Don Williams wasn’t looking to leave Coeur d’Alene.

She’d started the Cardinal program in 1998, led it through all the ups and downs that spring in the area can bring, and had the team playing some of its best ball in program history.

And now, she’s leaving NIC.

“I’d always said I’d leave when it was a perfect fit at the perfect time,” said Williams, who was named head coach at NCAA Division I Southern Utah University in Cedar City earlier this week. “I love the athletic director (Debbie Corum) and the vision she has for the program and what she stands for. And it’s a chance to compete at the Big Sky level, and thought it was a good fit for me.”

Williams coached 53 All-Region players during the Cardinals’ time in the NJCAA’s Scenic West Athletic Conference, winning Region 18 titles in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Williams was named National Fastpitch Coaches Association Western Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Williams came recommended for the job at Southern Utah by Alabama coach Patrick Murphy — whom Williams said she’s never met.

“I wasn’t looking to leave,” Williams said. “But I got a call from Southern Utah and they were seeing if I’d be interested in the Big Sky. I went down and we talked about the program, and they mentioned they needed a culture change. They’d interviewed some candidates and didn’t find the right fit and wanted to talk to me. I’d explained to them I was the only coach NIC had ever had, and would only leave if it was a perfect situation, and it feels like this one is.”

Williams takes over for Kortny Hall, who was fired following a 6-34 record in one season.

NIC finished 38-9-1 this season and went 50-3 in 2018.

Williams’ career record at NIC is 694-475-3.

“While it is a huge loss to our program, institution and community, we are not surprised that Don Don was offered the opportunity to become the head coach at Southern Utah,” NIC vice president for student services Graydon Stanley said in a statement. “Given her reputation as an outstanding leader, teacher, and coach as evidenced by the student success of her athletes in the classroom and on the field, she was a natural choice.”

Stanley said Jordyn McCracken, a Lake City High product who served as NIC assistant coach in 2019, will be the interim coach while a national search is conducted to find a replacement.

“Don Don has expressed strong confidence in Jordyn’s abilities to lead this team through the months ahead,” Stanley said. “The college will provide additional coaching support for Jordyn. Don Don certainly set the standard for excellence which we aspire to maintain.”

Williams and her coaching staff told the team the news on Sunday during a team meeting after players arrived on campus for the semester, which began on Monday.

“My hope is that we built a strong culture here,” Williams said. “And I hope that continues. I’m confident that the administration will bring in the right fit.”

In the Big Sky Conference, Williams will again match up with Mary Kay Amicone, who went from Salt Lake Community College to Weber State in 2014. Weber State went 1-2 in the NCAA Regional tournament, being eliminated by Missouri.

“It’s a great league with some great competition,” Williams said. “I’m very comfortable that it’s going to be a good fit.”

At Southern Utah, Williams could have coached against her daughter, Reilly, who played at Montana as a true freshman this season. However, Reilly transferred to Division II Augusta (Ga.) University earlier this summer.

Williams played softball at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., and was an assistant coach at Linfield in 1992, 1994 and 1995.