Reuben Williams is joining the UC Riverside coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season following two highly successful years as an assistant coach at the University of Montana under head coach Travis DeCuire.
During his time in Missoula, Williams helped Montana to one of its most productive stretches in program history. The Grizzlies tallied 49 wins over two seasons — the fourth-most in any two-year span in school history — highlighted by a 25-win campaign in 2024-25, the program’s first 25+ win season since 2018-19. Montana finished ranked No. 21 in the final CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll — the program’s highest ranking since 2019.
In his first year, Montana finished 24-12 and won a postseason game for the first time since 2006 and just the second time ever. That 2023-24 team set a new program record with 2,768 total points scored in a single season and shot a program-best 79.2% from the free throw line.
Williams played a pivotal role in both recruiting and player development at Montana. He helped develop Brandon Whitney, the 2024 Big Sky Tournament MVP, who set career highs in assists and three-point percentage while graduating as the program’s all-time assist leader (443). He also developed Malik Moore, an All-Conference selection and one of the Big Sky leaders in three-point percentage, and Aanen Moody, who became just the third player in program history to score 1,000 points in two or fewer seasons, earning First Team All-Big Sky honors.
Prior to Montana, Williams spent the 2022-23 season as a graduate assistant at Arkansas with Coach Gus Argenal. Under Coach Musselman, the Razorbacks went 22-14 and reached the NCAA Sweet 16, upsetting No. 1 seed Kansas. In his lone season he worked closely with a star-studded roster that included four future NBA players: Jordan Walsh (Boston Celtics), Anthony Black (Orlando Magic), Nick Smith Jr. (Charlotte Hornets) and Ricky Council IV (Philadelphia 76ers).
Before moving into the college ranks, Williams coached at his alma mater, Long Beach Poly High School, for three seasons. He helped lead the Jackrabbits to three league championships and played a key role in player development and in-game strategy. He notably coached and helped develop Peyton Watson, the 2021 California Gatorade State Player of the Year and current Denver Nuggets wing. Several other players under his guidance earned college scholarships.
Williams also brings Big West experience as his time as student manager at Cal State Fullerton. He also has grassroots AAU experience coaching with BTI and ALL IN elite. He played collegiately at Willamette University after graduating from Long Beach Poly in 2016.
