Lanny Williams, who spent much of his coaching career at Brenham before coming to Cedar Park, was welcomed to the team on June 13.

When Williams was looking to join a new program, he said he reached out to a pair of friends in the Austin area to inquire about good places to go. Cedar Park was one of the top places named as far as being a solid program where the culture is right and the fans are supportive and excited about baseball, Williams said.

For Williams, the allure of coaching — which he has done for 25 years — is the positive reinforcement a coach can have.

“Just the idea that someone that comes into your life for about four years you can mold them and allow them to venture out and be the best that they can be within their God-given ability,” Williams told Texas Scorecard.

In six seasons in charge at Brenham, Williams’s teams won 65.5 percent of their games and earned three district titles. According to information on the Brenham baseball website, Williams — a Mineola native — was a three-time district coach of the year selection among his honors.

Prior to his coaching days, Williams was an all-conference catcher at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He spent three years in the Rangers system and six years overall in minor-league ball. 

While at Henderson State, Williams said, he played under former National League Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall and learned about game aspects like how to put pressure on the other team’s defense.

Williams’s coaching style is dictated by the players he has, he said, and one Timberwolf he said he is looking forward to working with is rising senior Ryder Hernandez, who recently was named an all-district utility player. Williams said Hernandez has the it factor in that he can do a lot of intangible things. Hernandez’s athleticism is apparent, considering he doubles as Cedar Park’s quarterback.

“He’s someone you can definitely build a baseball team around,” Williams said.

Williams also said the program has a lot of rising juniors that have done well.

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