TCA's Dexter Williams is coach on court to son Kaleb, but just call him dad at home
Just a fist-bump, same as everyone else. That’s all Kaleb Williams shared with his dad, Dexter Williams, in the final moments leading up to tip off for the Trinity Christian Academy boys basketball team.
That’s by design, but not carefully thought out planning — it’s just what the Williams family does.
“All the other kids, they go home at night — and they don’t go home to coach,” said Dexter, the TCA boys basketball coach. “I try my absolute best to not bring up TCA basketball at home. I think that’s unfair, every other kid gets to get away from it, so I think Kaleb needs to be able to get away from it, too.”
Kaleb Williams, a 6-foot-1, 140-pound junior guard for the Lions, knows that the separation between coach and dad is important. Dexter has been working on that separation since Kaleb and his fellow juniors were in third grade.
The father and son have it down to where they need it to be and have done it well since Kaleb Williams’ freshman year at TCA — also Dexter Williams’ first season as the Lions’ coach.
“When it comes to basketball, I want him to be my coach — at home, I want him to be my dad,” Kaleb said. “That’s where that comes from. It’s not easy at times, but we get through it.”
Kaleb averages 16.6 points per game. The Lions have also been playing well as a team and steadily improving at the mid-season point at 9-5.
“You always like to see your kids excel,” Dexter said. “I’m super proud of him, he’s having a great year – he’s had a great high school career so far. I’m proud of all my players, I consider those my sons, too. I get that same sense of pride as a dad when Kaleb does well as well as my other players.
“But yeah, I’m very proud.”
Dexter Williams brings championship pedigree to TCA program
As a coach, Dexter has done quite a bit. He was the first coach at Liberty Tech when it opened in 2003 then went on to win the school’s first two Class AA state championships in 2006 and 2007. Williams later went on to coach the Milan boys team for two seasons.
As an administrator, Williams has served as principal at what is now Community Montessori. Eventually, Williams went back home to West Carroll to serve as the principal for two years and superintendent for four years before moving to TCA.
Dexter has navigated a myriad of posts while handling the responsibilities that come with them.
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“It’s been quite a ride, man,” he said. “Very rarely at my age, 46, somebody’s got the opportunity to serve in as many capacities. I’m just blessed, man.”
Kaleb is proud of his dad, and he’s excited to get to play basketball for a coach with such a high pedigree.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA basketball: Dexter Williams, son Kaleb Williams leads TCA boys basketball
