Marlon Williamson enters his third season as an assistant coach for Rutgers men’s basketball in 2025-26. He joined the Scarlet Knights ahead of the 2023-24 season after serving as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University from 2021-23. Known as a top-tier recruiter with deep ties in Detroit, throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and the East Coast, Williamson brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Rutgers.
Prior to Central Michigan, Williamson spent four seasons as an assistant at Long Island University-Brooklyn (2017-21) under head coach Derek Kellogg, helping lead LIU to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018—the program’s first in five seasons. He previously served two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh under head coach Jamie Dixon, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015-16.
From 2012-14, Williamson was an assistant at the University of Massachusetts under Derek Kellogg, where the Minutemen compiled a 45-21 record and made back-to-back postseason appearances. In 2013-14, UMass earned its first NCAA Tournament bid in 16 years as a No. 6 seed, finishing 24-9 overall and 10-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
Pikiell on Williamson’s hiring:
“We are very excited to welcome Marlon to the Rutgers men’s basketball family. Marlon is an awesome family man and brings all the things I love to our program. He’s a hard worker who’s contributed to great programs and has a proven winning pedigree. He has an excellent eye for talent and tremendous ties to the AAU scene. He’s a high-character individual who will fit seamlessly into our staff and help develop our players. Rutgers men’s basketball got better today with the hiring of Marlon Williamson.”
Williamson on joining Rutgers:
“I’m so blessed to receive this opportunity at Rutgers. I could tell right away this is a special place, and I am excited to work under Coach Pikiell’s leadership. I look forward to bringing my experience from the MAC Conference to help Rutgers compete in the Big Ten. From the moment I came in for my interview, I felt the love and passion from everyone on staff. This isn’t a job for me—it’s what I love to do.”
Williamson joins a Rutgers staff featuring prominent former college players, including head coach Steve Pikiell (UConn), Associate Head Coach Brandin Knight (Pittsburgh), and Assistant Coach T.J. Thompson (George Washington).
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Williamson spent nine years with The Family, a Detroit-based AAU program, serving as head coach and president of Youth Operations. In that role, he oversaw scouting, scheduling, academic progress monitoring, and player counseling. He also coached multiple age-level teams, helping student-athletes advance academically and athletically.
As a player, Williamson was a four-year letter-winner and point guard at Youngstown State University (1999-2003). He was named team MVP, served as captain, and earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Defensive Team as a senior. Over his collegiate career, he scored 379 points, recorded 199 assists, and made 45 three-pointers in 99 games. Williamson also starred at Detroit’s Cass Tech High School.
Williamson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Youngstown State. He and his wife, Angela, have a daughter, Marli.
