1996 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | DON WILLIAMS
While a student at Milligan, Williams lettered in basketball, baseball, track and tennis in one year and was awarded 13 other athletic letters during his tenure.
In 1956, Williams served as captain and number one seed on the men's tennis team. He helped lead Milligan to its first VSAC title, finishing with an overall team record of 22-2 for the year.
After graduation, Williams began his teaching and coaching career in Lee County, Virginia. During his career, he coached 11 varsity sports, winning 933 games and 37 district championships in the Virginia High School League—a state record.
Williams was named the District and Regional Coach of the Year several times during his coaching career and was twice named the Associated Press Virginia High School League Coach of the Year.
In 1970, Williams was named head football coach at Pennington High School where he coached for 23 years, turning a suffering football program into an unstoppable powerhouse. He later went on to reshape the football program at Coeburn High School.
In the late 1970s, Williams wrote Almost Glory, a book about the 1976 Pennington High School football team that lost in the state finals. The book is a true story that shows how the inspiration and faith of Williams' team transformed an entire community.
Williams and his wife, Patty, have two sons, Donnie and Kevin.
Williams is also currently a nominee for the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame.