ASHEVILLE – UNC Asheville Athletic Director Janet R. Cone announced on Wednesday that Joel Williams and Adam Puett have been promoted to lead the University’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Williams has been elevated to the post of Head Track & Field Coach and Associate Cross Country Coach, while Puett’s new title will be Head Cross Country Coach and Associate Track & Field Coach.
“We are thrilled to officially announce that Joel Williams and Adam Pruett have agreed to be our new Head Coaches in Cross Country and Track,” stated Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. “Both of them have been not only loyal, long-time employees but also dedicated to the success of our student-athletes in the classroom, in competition, and in the community from day one. Their steadfast leadership, devotion to our student-athletes, and knowledge of cross country and track will allow us to become Champions and Leaders in those sports.”
Williams recently wrapped his 12th season as a member of the Bulldog coaching staff. He has coached over 30 All-Big South selections during his tenure along with three Olympic/World Championship athletes. Williams coached former Bulldog and 110m hurdler Milan Ristic, who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2015 & 2017 world championships. In 2016, Ristic set a Serbian national record of 13.39. Before Asheville, Williams coached at Watauga High School. Watauga captured three straight state girls’ outdoors titles (1995-97) and won the 1997 girls’ indoor championship. Williams is a 2004 graduate of Appalachian State with a B.S. in Health Promotion, Exercise Science and Sociology.
“Thanks to Janet Cone, UNC Asheville, and the athletic administration for entrusting me to become the Head Track & Field Coach as well as the Associate Head Coach of Cross Country,” said Williams. “It is truly an honor being in this position to provide guidance to our student-athletes as I want nothing more than to see them succeed academically, athletically, and in terms of their own personal development.”
Much like Williams, Puett has been around UNC Asheville’s programs for some time as he recently wrapped up his eighth season with the Bulldogs. During his tenure in Asheville, Puett has coached one All-American, two Big South Freshman of the Year, and seven Big South Conference Champions. Before coming to Asheville, Puett served three years as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Western Carolina. Puett, who graduated from Western Carolina in 2006 with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and then earned his master’s in Physical Education from WCU in 2009, was a decorated runner himself as he was the 2005 Western Carolina Male Athlete of the Year, the 2006 Southern Conference Outdoor Performer of the Year, and a multiple time All-Conference honoree in both cross country and track & field.
“I would first like to thank Janet Cone and her senior staff along with Chancellor Nancy Cable for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to become the Head Cross Country and Associate Head Track and Field Coach here at UNC Asheville,” Puett said. “During my 10 years at UNC Asheville as an assistant coach, I have seen our track and field/cross country programs continue to improve within the Big South Conference. I am very excited to get to work and help lead our men’s and women’s track and field/cross country programs to the top of the Big South Conference not only athletically but also academically and socially.”
