Volleyball: Permian tabs McWilliams to fill head coaching spot

Former Pecos head volleyball coach Ruth McWilliams has had a chance to coach the Permian volleyball team before.

Back then, about a decade ago, McWilliams had something more important to consider. Her kids.

But her kids have all left the house. McWilliams is ready to take over as the head coach of the Permian volleyball team, replacing Robert Wills, who resigned in April.

The Ector County Independent School District approved McWilliams Tuesday night.

"There have been times before when I did want to work at the Class 5A level," McWilliams said. "In a big city, I wouldn't have been able to do all the things I wanted to for my kids."

Her youngest, Leah, is about to become the second McWilliams daughter to play volleyball at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Her oldest, O'Lita, 27, played for the SeaWolves, stayed in Alaska and got married there earlier this summer.

"Now is the time I can focus on the things I've always looked forward to doing," McWilliams said. "It's a challenge I believe I'm going to enjoy."

McWilliams has certainly paid her dues.

She took Fort Davis to state three times. She has taken three different high schools - Fort Davis, Marfa and Pecos - to the playoffs. She coached at Sul Ross State for four years.

 And her coaching success isn't limited to a single sport.

McWilliams has reached the regional level as a softball coach at Alpine and Marfa, a tennis coach at Fort Davis and a track and field coach with the Indians.

"Coach McWilliams brings lots of experience and lots of success at some of the smaller schools, and we felt like she is certainly ready to step into the 5A role and take over the program at Permian," ECISD athletic coordinator Todd Vesely said.

Permian has never been a powerhouse program.

The Lady Panthers finished 15-24 overall a year ago. Playing in the 10-team District 2-5A, a nasty district that includes three-time defending state champ Amarillo High, Permian finished 3-15 a year ago.

McWilliams plans to build the program up from the junior high level.

And sometime in the near future, she wants the Lady Panthers to compete with the top teams in the district.

"I look at it as a challenge," McWilliams said. "In order for the volleyball team to get better, you have to be able to beat the best."