CALGARY, AB – The Calgary Roughnecks today announced the hiring of Rob Williams as assistant coach. Williams joins head coach and assistant general manager Curt Malawsky and assistant coach Bob McMahon to form the coaching staff for the 2017 National Lacrosse League season.
“Rob brings tremendous experience, knowledge and passion to the team,” said general manager Mike Board. “We are excited to add Rob’s coaching and playing pedigree to the organization. He will make a terrific complement to Curt Malawsky and the coaching staff.”
“Rob has played at the highest levels in lacrosse including the NLL, WLA and national field program,” said Malawsky. “He has a good mind for the game, a very strong character and is a fierce competitor. Rob is known for having a great rapport with his players. He is the kind of coach players will run through the wall for and will be an outstanding addition to the Roughnecks organization.”
Williams, 44, brings 11 years of coaching experience to the Roughnecks as both a head coach (2016) and an assistant coach (2006-15) of the Maple Ridge Burrards of the Western Lacrosse Association. Under his guidance, the Burrards recently captured the club’s first-ever WLA championship and advanced to the 2016 Mann Cup. In August, Williams was named the WLA’s Coach of the Year.
“I appreciate this great opportunity and look forward to working with the Roughnecks,” said Williams. “I am excited to work with such a great coaching and management staff as well as a successful team and will work hard to help bring Calgary, with some of the greatest fans in the NLL, another championship.”
Prior to stepping behind the bench, the Coquitlam, British Columbia, native patrolled the defensive zone for nine NLL seasons with the Baltimore Thunder (1996), Ontario Raiders (1998), the first Canadian NLL team, Vancouver Ravens (2002-04), Calgary Roughnecks (2005-06) and Edmonton Rush (2006-08). In 106 career games, he recorded 15 goals and 60 points along with 345 loose balls. Following his NLL playing career, Williams joined the Toronto Rock as a scout from 2012-14.