Matt Williams details important factors in building a good pitching staff

Matt Williams is ready to rock at South Carolina, freshly minted as the Gamecocks’ pitching coach moving forward.

Speaking with the media, Williams explained how much the job means to him, and why he’s not taking the opportunity lightly.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” prefaced Williams. “I mean, it’s very humbling, to get the opportunity to come back and work in your home state, and get that opportunity as a pitching coach and do what you love doing.”

Now Williams will be looking to turn South Carolina’s staff into one of the best in the country, and the Gamecocks assistant has the big ideas to get the job done.

“I mean first and foremost, I think it goes into recruiting,” the South Carolina assistant said. “I mean, making sure you’re recruiting the right kids, that fit your program. And then like I said earlier, like once you get here, just establishing that relationship and growing that culture inside.

“I mean not only with the team, but inside the pitching staff. Growing that culture to have success. And just the winner mindset, I think it has been the big thing for me.”

Additionally, Williams elaborated on why relationships are a big thing for him in coaching. You can bet he’s going to take his time and truly get on each pitcher’s level when the time comes.

“I think the biggest thing for me is the relationships,” Williams said. “If I don’t have a good relationship with the guys then it’s not going to go very well. … So that’s going to be at the forefront for me are relationships.”

Moreover, Williams came to Columbia after spending the past four seasons as the pitching coach/associated head coach at Liberty. 

He has an impressive resume and feels like building relationships with his pitchers has been key to his success throughout his coaching career. Having a strong relationship with players translates to success on the mound, according to Williams.

“It’s really getting to know the guy, the individual, and how they learn,” Williams said. “Some guys learn in the weight room. Some guys learn with us just talking mechanics. Some guys can learn in the bullpen. Some guys can learn with metrics. So it’s really just a different deal getting to know each individual guy.”

Alas, Matt Williams seems like a perfect fit for the Gamecocks, and it’ll be fascinating to watch how he works with South Carolina’s staff during his first season on the job.