Thursday, April 27, 2023
by Northwest Nazarene Athletic Communications

NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene Athletic Director Kelli Lindley has announced James Williamson as the next head coach of the NNU men's soccer program.
 
"We are thrilled to have James and his family returning to the Boise Valley and once again, adding James to our NNU Athletics coaching staff," said Lindley. "I have no doubt James has the work ethic, heart and skill-set to be an exceptional head coach. Having worked alongside him before, I know that James possesses a genuine love for college-aged student-athletes and truly wants to invest in their success and development on and off the pitch.
 
"I look forward to supporting James and watching him continue on a tradition of excellence with our Men's Soccer program."
 
Williamson will become the ninth head coach in Northwest Nazarene men's soccer history ahead of the 42nd season for the program in 2023. He takes over a Nighthawks team that is coming off of the best campaign in program history in 2022, setting a new school record for wins (15), earning the GNAC Championship, and winning three NCAA tournament games to reach the Elite Eight. The program is also set to retain the three assistant coaches from the historic 2022 squad.
 
Williamson, who spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the NNU women's soccer team from 2017-18, returns to Nampa to head the men's program after stints with the men's teams at Corban University and Gonzaga University.
 
"My family and I are exceptionally excited to join the NNU community, which consistently demonstrates a tremendous culture that continues to produce both wonderful people and results," said Williamson. "I am deeply thankful for President Pearsall, Athletic Director Kelli Lindley, and the search committee for affording this opportunity for us to get back to the Treasure Valley. Lastly, I would not be in this position without the support of previous institutions such as Gonzaga. My time there was terrific and Spokane will always be special to my family and I."
 
Williamson spent the last three years with Gonzaga's men's program, including the last two as the top assistant. In 2021, he helped lead the Bulldogs to one of Division I's best single-season turnarounds with a seven-win improvement over the prior year. He also spearheaded the identification and recruitment of the nation's 28th-ranked recruiting class according to TopDrawerSoccer. Over the course of his time at Gonzaga, he assisted in producing five All-West Coast Conference selections.
 
Prior to GUonzaga, Williamson spent the 2019 season at his alma mater Corban University as the associate head coach, helping the squad to the program's best ever single-season record (17-0-3) before falling in penalty kicks in the NAIA National Tournament. It also marked the school's first-ever undefeated campaign in conference play.
 
Prior to his time at Corban, Williamson spent 2017-18 at NNU with the women's soccer team. During his two years as the assistant coach with the Nighthawks, the team captured the two best seasons at that point in program history, made the program's first ever appearance in the GNAC Championships and set program best records of wins (11) and shutouts (10) in a single season.
 
Williamson also coached one season at North Idaho College in 2016 as an assistant with the men's soccer team.
 
He graduated from Corban with a Bachelor's degree in exercise science and minor in biblical studies. As a student-athlete, he was an All-Cascade Conference player on the school's conference championship and NAIA national qualifying teams.
 
He then earned his Master's degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University-Irvine in 2019.
 
Originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Williamson and his wife Hannah and they have two daughters, Kai and Tenley. In his spare time, he enjoys taking advantage of the amenities the Northwest has to offer, including mountain biking, skiing, climbing and fly fishing.