Past Golden Hurricane Stars Pooh Williamson and Jimmy Stewart Return to TU

TULSA, Okla. –– Two former Golden Hurricane athletic stars, basketball's Pooh Williamson and football All-American Jimmy Stewart, have returned to The University of Tulsa, it was announced today by Vice President & Director of Athletics Rick Dickson.

Williamson has been appointed associate athletic director for development and Stewart will serve as a mental health consultant in residence for athletics.

Williamson was the point guard that led Hurricane basketball teams to consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances in the 1990s. Stewart was an Associated Press Second-Team All-America defensive back for the Hurricane in 1976.

"We're excited to have Pooh and Jimmy back at their alma mater and working with us to help better provide a tremendous environment and experience for our student-athletes," said Dickson.

"Pooh has an energetic and effervescent personality that is contagious. He has already reacquainted himself with members of our fan base from when he played and coached at Tulsa and will open so many more avenues when it comes to fundraising and supporting TU athletics," said Dickson. "All of Jimmy's experience from his time at Tulsa, in the NFL and as a mental health and wellness professional will help serve our-student-athletes to the fullest. He, too, has such an engaging personality that lends to the work he does with student-athletes as a mental health professional.

A four-year letterwinner, Williamson led Tubby Smith's Golden Hurricane team to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in 1994 and 1995. He earned all-Missouri Valley Conference first team honors as a senior.

Williamson has spent over two decades as a college basketball coach. He last coached for two seasons (2019-21) at the University of Oklahoma under Lon Kruger. Before that, Williamson spent the 2018-19 season at Miami (Fla.). Prior to his time with the Hurricanes, he spent the previous five seasons under Tubby Smith at Texas Tech (2013-16) and Memphis (2016-18).

After beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Washington State (1996-98) and Illinois State (1998-2000), Williamson returned to his alma mater from 2001-05 and served as the interim head coach in the 2004-05 season.

Williamson also coached as an assistant at Wichita State (2005-07), Texas A&M (2007-11), SMU (2011-12) and TCU (2012-13). Throughout his career, he was on the staff of nine NCAA Tournament teams.

Williamson and his wife, Rosemary, have two sons: Jamal and Josh.

Stewart brings 20-plus years of experience in the mental health and wellness field.

Previously, Stewart served as the senior coordinator of counseling services for student-athletes at Colorado State from 2014-19. Before that, Stewart spent the previous decade in private practice and as an athletic consultant for a number of universities, including Tulane, where he provided support for student-athletes impacted by Hurricane Katrina. He also worked in counseling centers at UNC Asheville and Loyola University.

Stewart has also served as a consultant to military personnel through the Department of Defense. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT).

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Stewart played at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before coming to Tulsa in the fall of 1974.

A versatile player for the Hurricane, Stewart played both ways in his career, seeing time at running back and safety. He completed his career as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. As a senior, Stewart recorded 77 tackles, 10 stops for lost yardage, four pass breakups and two interceptions. He is also one of four TU players to hold the school record for longest kickoff return of 100 yards.

Stewart was drafted in the eighth round by the New Orleans Saints in 1977 and played two seasons there before playing for Detroit and New England.

Stewart completed his bachelor's degree in marketing at the University of New Orleans, and in 1999 completed his Master of Education Counseling, also from New Orleans.

Stewart and his wife, Melissa, have one adult son, Sam.

Past Golden Hurricane Stars Pooh Williamson and Jimmy Stewart Return to TU

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