Head Coach · Director

William
Sams

Head Varsity Coach · Birch Run Girls Basketball

Director & Head Coach · Michigan Dream AAU

Birch Run, Michigan

"The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win."

— Tom Izzo

Coaching Philosophy

The game is
a classroom.

Basketball is the vehicle. What players take off the court matters as much as what they do on it. Discipline, accountability, and the ability to compete under pressure — those are the things that last.

His programs are built on relationships. He knows every player's name, their tendencies, and what they need to grow. The standard stays high whether it is a Tuesday practice or a tournament final.

Fundamentals before everything

Footwork, spacing, ball handling, defense. The things that do not show up in a highlight reel but show up every single game.

Player-first development

Every player develops on a different timeline. The system adapts to the player, not the other way around.

Compete every possession

The scoreboard is a byproduct. Teams that compete the right way on every possession tend to like what it says at the end.

Build the whole person

Grades, character, and decision-making off the court are part of the program. Always have been.

Coaching History

2022 –
Present

Head Varsity Coach

Birch Run High School · Girls Basketball

Built a culture of accountability and competitive basketball from the ground up. Aiyana Willis (Class of '25) went on to play at Kellogg Community College. Jeahna Schmidt (Class of '27) is currently committed to her senior season and expected to play at the collegiate level.

2021 –
Present

Director & Head Coach

Michigan Dream · AAU Girls Basketball

Founded Michigan Dream and built it into a multi-age-group program with players across multiple age groups. The program is built on long-term development — players start early, stay in the system, and leave ready for the next level.

Prior

Boys Varsity Assistant

Birch Run High School · Boys Basketball

One year on the boys varsity staff before taking over the girls program. Where the foundation was built.

Player Development Style

Offensive

Read and React

Players learn to read the defense, not run a play. Ball movement, spacing, and decision-making in transition. The why behind every action on the floor.

Defensive

Pressure and Discipline

Aggressive on-ball defense with disciplined help-side principles. Effort and positioning over athleticism. Every player can guard multiple positions.

Mental

Competing Under Pressure

Practices are built to simulate game pressure. Late clock, hostile environment, must-have possessions. The ones who can perform when it matters are the ones who practiced it.

Character

Accountability Culture

Players hold each other to a standard. Grades, attitude, and effort are program matters. The ones who come through it are ready for what comes next.

Player Spotlight