Before his daily attire consisted of a suit, tie, and badge, United States Secret Service Special Agent Coron Williams wore a different uniform – that of a Division I college basketball player.
As a member of the Robert Morris University basketball team that qualified for the 2010 NCAA Tournament, Agent Williams knows about March Madness. He also knows that many of the skills he developed to become an elite basketball player also translate to having success in the Secret Service.
“What you need to be an agent is what us athletes have already,” Williams said.
From a guard on the basketball floor to a guardian of democracy, the 35-year-old is in his second year working for the Secret Service. He has been assigned as a Special Agent in the Washington Field Office since August. His official title brings him immense pride.
“It does feel good to say, ‘Special Agent’, Williams said. “I earned it.”
During this time of the year, Williams always reflects on his path to the agency. It was a road built upon high-level athletics. Williams played for Robert Morris for four years. He then played one year at Wake Forest University before signing to play professionally overseas, where he suited up for a handful of teams between 2014-2020.
Like anybody with basketball in their blood, his eyes are now on the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
The Division I NCAA men’s basketball tourney is one of the most popular sporting events in the U.S. Williams was lucky enough to experience ‘The Big Dance’ during his first collegiate season.
“It’s the excitement. It’s the joy. It’s the energy. Honestly, I had never felt anything like that before and I have never [since]. It is different,” Williams said. “The energy is so potent in the arena. Like, you know this is big. This is a big moment.”
Williams was a redshirt freshman on the 2009-2010 Robert Morris Colonials squad that won the Northeast Conference Tournament and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. RMU was given a 15-seed and drew second-seeded Villanova in the first round in Providence, R.I.
The underdog kept the game closer than any analyst expected, but ultimately lost to the Wildcats in overtime, 73-70. Williams did not see any playing time due to his redshirt status.
“It was heartbreaking because our guys played so hard and played so well. If we would have a couple calls go our way, it would have been different,” Williams said.
Just like 15 years ago, the Colonials earned their ticket to the NCAA Tournament once again this year, also as a 15-seed. They took on powerhouse, second-seeded Alabama out of the Southeastern Conference, on March 21 in Cleveland, Ohio. Williams watched on television as his former school fell 90-81 to a talented Crimson Tide team that would advance to the Elite 8 of the tournament.
“It’s hard to beat that. But [Robert Morris] competed and that’s what our culture is there. I feel like I was one of the guys who helped instill that,” Williams said.
Now he is all about the culture of the Secret Service, which he believes fits former athletes perfectly.
“It’s no different. What you need to be successful in your respective sport are the same traits you need to be successful at this job,” Williams said.
He stressed the importance of time management, reliability, awareness, and physical and mental fitness to excel as a Special Agent.
“In athletics, especially in basketball, I have to rely on my teammate to do his job. That’s what makes me good at my job,” Williams said. “You’ve got to be aware of everything that is going on around you in the Secret Service. You’ve got to have that 360 coverage.”
Knowing your opponent is also critical.
“[It’s] no different. You have to be willing to take time to know your opponent. You’ve got to be able to take time to know your [protective site]. I have to know what’s going on around me. But it takes time,” Williams said. “We have a saying (in basketball): Know your personnel - ‘K.Y.P.’, know your personnel. That’s what we use in basketball. ‘Know your site’ is no different.”
Working as a Special Agent, Williams is used to the pressure-packed posts and intense investigations. His ascent into one of the most elite law-enforcement agencies in the world was aided by his time on some of the biggest stages in sports.
“You’ve got to be poised. We know how big these events are in the Secret Service. But you’ve still got to perform. In the NCAA Tournament we know how big the moment is. You cannot focus on your environment. You cannot focus on how big the game is or you are going to struggle, and you are going to lose,” Williams said.
“It’s the same in the Service. You’ve got to be able to perform under pressure. You’ve got to persevere through those thoughts. You’ve got to persevere through what’s going on around you and focus on your job and get your job done,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to be poised – poised under pressure.”