McCollum's column: One of Williamson’s mentors may be a surprise

One of the coaches who shaped the philosophy of new University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball coach Corliss Williamson was obvious.

He plans on playing a version of his coach and mentor Nolan Richardson’s “40 minutes of hell.” Maybe “40 minutes to bear?”

When Williamson was introduced as UCA’s coach Friday, he said he received a congratulatory call from Richardson, now coaching women’s basketball in Oklahoma, on the way to Conway.

“We talk a lot,” he said. “He was very excited.”

Advice?

“He told me to just be myself,” Williamson said.

The next mentor to Williamson was a zinger.

Pete Carril.

If you don’t recall the name, you probably remember the balding gentlemen in orange sweaters, who looked like your favorite literature professor, who drove big-name teams crazy at Princeton with his motion offense and backdoor cuts.

Putting Nolan Richardson and Pete Carril in the same basketball mix is like trying to blend the political philosophies of Nancy Pelosi and Glenn Beck.

Williamson first met Carril when he was brought in as assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings.

“It was my third season in the NBA, and he took me under his wings and made me his special project,” Williamson said. “Our relationship grew. He taught me a lot about a passing offense. We talked a lot about his halfcourt philosphy.”

He intends to blend the up-tempo style of Richardson with the motion offense of Carril on the halfcourt game.

“I think you can blend the two,” he said. “I want our teams to be effective in the halfcourt, and I really think backcuts are underused in basketball.” Other mentors have been Charles Ripley, the former Little Rock Parkview coach and Arkansas Baptist athletic director, and Clarence Fendley, his former AAU coach.

“I had the chance to be under a lot of good coaches and I’ve asked all of them questions about coaching,” Williamson said. “Coach Richardson and I have talked a lot.

“They’ve all talked to me about doing the extra work and going the extra mile.”

The longer one talks to Williamson, you see the fire of Richardson and Fendley, the calm confidence of Carril and the “taking care of your players” default setting as Ripley. If you look closely, you see some of the transformative philosophies to individuals and communities held by Arkansas Baptist President Fitz Hill.

The initial shock waves that accompanied Williamson’s selection was this was a glamor move and a “put butts in the seats” move by UCA athletic director Brad Teague.

It certainly was a bold stroke. In golf terms, it’s ripping it and going for the green.

But it doesn’t matter whether the coach is Rand Chappell, David McCollum, Elmer Fudd or Corliss Williamson, the best way to get butts in the seats is to win and win in an exciting way.

Williamson has no Division I experience either in recruiting or coaching. He’ll be carefully watched and evaluated by new standards. Choosing a staff and the mix of personalties and experience will be crucial for low-paying jobs.

Some around her refer to it as the “Moncrief Syndrome,” referring to how Arkansas basketball legend Sidney Moncrief was a bust as a coach at Arkansas-Little Rock.

The difference here may be Williamson’s passion and commitment to coaching and developing players.

“I wasn’t looking for a name; I was looking for a coach,” Teague said. “Once you meet Corliss, all your stereotypes go right out the door.”

I’ve seen some posts and heard from Razorback fans. Right now, they are curious and some envious.

(Sports columnist David McCollum can be reached at 505-1235 or david.mccollum@thecabin.net)