Williams Wins NCAA Coach of the Year

April 14, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - On the heels of becoming the first coach in NCAA history to win two titles in his first four years as head coach, Oklahoma men's gymnastics head coach Mark Williams was named NCAA Coach of the Year. Williams reached the 90-win plateau (93-7 career) faster than any other coach in NCAA history and owns the highest winning percentage of any active NCAA coach at 93 percent. Wiliam's squad will enter the 2004 season with NCAA best winning streaks of 42 overall, 28 on the road and 15 at home.

The award is the second consecutive for Williams and gives the gymnastics program a complete sweep of the top honors. OU claimed its second consecutive NCAA Championship, while Daniel Furney claimed the top collegiate honor, the Nissen Emery Award, and won the NCAA All-Around Championship.

"I felt like we went in with the best team," said Williams, "and came out with a lot of believers. The team put together a dominate performance last weekend. Being recognized as coach of the year is really just icing on the top of the cake, compared to everything else we accomplished. I couldn't have scripted a better scenario myself."

Williams recognition finalizes what may have been the best season in Oklahoma gymnastics history. The Sooner set numerous NCAA records, including: NCAA scoring mark 223.500, individual all-around score of 56.350 (Daniel Furney) and tying the record as the second team to complete an entire season undefeated.

OU also broke a number of school records. Individually, the Sooners broke five of the event scoring records, while also breaking six of the seven team event scoring records. OU tied a school record with 11 All-Americans, given to six individuals, another OU best. The Sooners brought home four individual titles, breaking the former record of three set in 1979. Josh Landis (pommel horse, floor exercise) and Furney (all-around, parallel bars) became the first Oklahoma gymnasts to bring home two NCAA Individual Championships. Furney also tied OU legend Bart Conner with a record nine career All-America honors.

Williams won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (OU's conference) Coach of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive season, Furney claimed the Gymnast of the Year Award and MPSF All-Around Championship as well.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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