Miami Norland renames school gym in honor of legendary boys’ basketball coach
Most basketball fans in the state of Florida will remember Miami Norland coach Lawton Williams III for his accomplishments on the court.
His seven state championships in a coaching career that is ongoing, are the most for a Miami-Dade County boys’ basketball coach and second-most in state history.
Williams’ distinguished record as the Vikings coach was one of the main facts which was celebrated this past week at Norland in a ceremony in which the school announced it would rename its gymnasium in his honor.
But it wasn’t the only reason.
As Williams sat in an almost throne-like, large chair seated at the entrance of the school’s gym, and numerous friends, co-workers and community dignitaries each took turns at a podium singing his praises, he took the most pride in seeing the dozens of his former players who came to honor their mentor.
Williams has helped over 40 of his former players move onto play at the college level including standouts such as Zachery Peacock, Antonio Hester and Dewan Hernandez, who briefly played in the NBA. Many others have gone on to achieve in other careers, and several of them attended this week’s ceremony with their own families.
Nick Taylor, one of his former players who ended up playing football in the Canadian Football League, gave a heartfelt speech about the impact Williams had on his life off the court, as did Paul Wilson, the father of former Norland standout Triston Wilson.
“This was truly amazing, I appreciate my beautiful wife who is here, and my family,” Williams said, addressing those in attendance. “All of my coaches who supported me throughout the years…I love you all, and I thank you.”
Williams, 57, was born in Tallahassee and grew up in Carol City. He would go on to excel in football and basketball and graduate from North Miami Beach High before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in economics at Florida A&M University.
Since becoming Norland’s coach in 2003, Williams has led the Vikings to the second-most state titles ever by a Dade school behind only Miami High’s staggering 19 championships.
Williams is also one of two Dade coaches to lead their program to four consecutive state titles, along with former Columbus coach Andrew Moran, and he is the only one to accomplish the feat at a public school. His teams have also been perfect when they have advanced to the state final four, going 14-0 at Lakeland in state semifinals and finals.
Williams’ career record heading into next season is 480-159, and he’s a sure-fire Hall of Famer once he decides to retire.
Norland gave Williams “his flowers” figuratively and literally with a bouquet that capped a series of commemorative gifts from those present, honoring one of Florida’s best basketball coaches of all-time.
Williams, often a man of few words, shared hugs and laughs with guest speakers, which included Miami-Dade County School Board member Dr. Steve Gallon III, Region Superintendent Dr. Yesenia Aponte, Dade County District 1 Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, former high school teammate Milton Parris Jr., former Norland girls’ basketball coach Carla Harris, current girls’ basketball coach Kent Forbes, University of Miami assistant coach Charlton Young, Norland principal Rhonda Gaines-Miller, and former principal Ronald Redmon, and multiple Norland assistant coaches including Cleve Roberts.
The school hopes to have his name donning the front wall of the gym by the start of the 2025-26 school year as the Vikings prepare for another potential bid for a state championship.
Williams, who is known for his stoic and sometimes intense demeanor on the sideline, only got emotional for a moment when reflecting upon which of his seven state championship teams he valued the most.
Although Williams refused to single out a favorite, he praised members of the most recent, 2023-24 title team, of which several members were in attendance, thanking them for their support during a health scare he suffered just before that season, which nearly cost him his life.
In March 2023, Williams was diagnosed with congenital heart failure and spent 10 days in the hospital where he needed three stents placed in his heart. By that following summer, though, he was back doing what he loved - coaching.
And by the following March, Williams was on the court at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, raising another state championship trophy.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to make it,” Williams said with tears in his eyes. “These kids had my back every step of the way, and I’ll always appreciate that.”
