SIU remembers the life, wisdom of Herman Williams, Sr.
10/31/2025 | 2:15:00 | General, Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Herman Williams Sr., a longtime presence at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a former assistant coach for the Saluki men's basketball team, died Thursday, Oct. 29. He was 81.
"Herman is a legend in the halls of Saluki Athletics," SIU Director of Athletics Tim Leonard said. "He set an example that we strive to follow today. We are beyond thankful for his contributions to our basketball programs, athletic department and university. He will be greatly missed."
Known affectionately as "Chief," "Big Herm" or simply "Coach," Williams joined SIU in 1974 and served as an assistant basketball coach until 1978. He then followed head coach Paul Lambert to Auburn University in Alabama. Lambert tragically died in a hotel fire before coaching a game at Auburn. Williams remained at Auburn until 1981, when he returned to SIU — a move he described as a thrill.
Williams coached the Salukis until 1986, then transitioned to Recreational Sports and Services, where he worked until retiring in 2007. That same year, the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association honored him with the People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award for his dedication to students.
Before his time at SIU, Williams played basketball, football and baseball in high school and earned a football scholarship to Dillard University in New Orleans. He received a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and later earned a master's degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Williams coached the basketball team at his alma mater, A.H. Parker High School, to two state championships and a third-place finish. He also served as an assistant football coach.
Williams was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and helped re-establish the local graduate chapter.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Yvonne Williams; two children, Kesha and Herman; and two grandchildren, Taylor and Herman III.
"Herman is a legend in the halls of Saluki Athletics," SIU Director of Athletics Tim Leonard said. "He set an example that we strive to follow today. We are beyond thankful for his contributions to our basketball programs, athletic department and university. He will be greatly missed."
Known affectionately as "Chief," "Big Herm" or simply "Coach," Williams joined SIU in 1974 and served as an assistant basketball coach until 1978. He then followed head coach Paul Lambert to Auburn University in Alabama. Lambert tragically died in a hotel fire before coaching a game at Auburn. Williams remained at Auburn until 1981, when he returned to SIU — a move he described as a thrill.
Williams coached the Salukis until 1986, then transitioned to Recreational Sports and Services, where he worked until retiring in 2007. That same year, the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association honored him with the People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award for his dedication to students.
Before his time at SIU, Williams played basketball, football and baseball in high school and earned a football scholarship to Dillard University in New Orleans. He received a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and later earned a master's degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Williams coached the basketball team at his alma mater, A.H. Parker High School, to two state championships and a third-place finish. He also served as an assistant football coach.
Williams was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and helped re-establish the local graduate chapter.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Yvonne Williams; two children, Kesha and Herman; and two grandchildren, Taylor and Herman III.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 7, a New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 803 N. Robert A. Stalls Ave., in Carbondale. Funeral services will directly follow at the church. Services will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewZionMissionaryBaptistChurch.
Video | Rishonda Napier Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Jorge Delgado Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Rick Murray Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Saluki Chats in Chevies | Episode 1 | Anna Jaworski
Tuesday, October 15