Coaches grieve the terrible collision involving the USW golf team, describing it as “every coach’s worst nightmare.”

James’ team, which included four members of the women’s program who were competing in a separate four-team tournament on the same course, was the only one not lodging at a nearby hotel, according to Williams. Instead, USW was commuting each day from Hobbs, New Mexico, which was roughly 100 miles away and took little over an hour and a half.

USW was scheduled to compete in the last round the next morning.

“I told Tyler, ‘We’ll see you bright and early in the morning,’ and he answered, ‘Yes, sir,” On Wednesday morning, Williams spoke with GolfChannel.com. “After that, he got into the van and drove away.”

Williams didn’t learn about the two-vehicle accident until later that night, some 45 minutes north of Midland near Andrews, Texas. Williams had a gut sense it was a team from his event when Texas Department of Public Safety authorities confirmed that one of the cars involved was a college bus. He quickly found that the Ford passenger van belongs to USW, a private Christian college that participates in NAIA athletics.

Nine individuals were murdered after a pickup truck heading southbound on FM 1788 near SH115 crossed the middle line of the two-lane road before colliding head-on with USW’s van, according to authorities. The catastrophic crash killed James and six of his teammates. Two more student-athletes were transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and are still in critical condition. The pickup’s two occupants were also slain.

“It’s unexpected and upsetting,” said Williams, who has been coaching for more than three decades and is currently in his sixth year at Midland. “I’ve been coaching for 30 years and have never seen anything quite like this.” You see teams collide… it’s just something you never imagine will happen to you. Tyler was a good friend; I saw his team play the other day, and they were terrific kids; it’s really awful.”

As a school official was unable to comment on the topic, the university issued the following statement:

“As we grieve the loss of members of our university family, the USW campus community is shocked and devastated today.” The men’s and women’s golf teams were returning to campus last night after competing in Midland, Texas, when their bus was hit by oncoming traffic. The university bus involved in the horrific accident had nine passengers, including the coach.

Seven passengers on the bus were killed in the disaster, according to reports. The accident investigation is still ongoing. Two of the passengers are in critical condition in Lubbock, Texas, and are receiving medical treatment. USW is working with the Texas Department of Public Safety to assist in the investigation and public awareness efforts. More information will be provided as it becomes accessible by university administration to students’ families and coaching staff.

“Today on campus, USW counseling professionals and the worship team will be available to provide support to students, professors, and staff. Please remember to pray for the students’ families, coaching staff, and the USW community as we gather together to support one another during this trying time.”

In a statement, the Golf Coaches Association of America declared, “The news that broke yesterday evening has left us devastated. Our coaching group is quite close-knit, and moments like these bring us even closer together.” A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Any Given Tuesday, a golf podcast broadcast by collegiate golf instructors, to collect money for the victims’ families.

James, who had recently celebrated his 26th birthday, was regarded his “little brother” by Chris Hill, a former collegiate golf instructor who currently instructs at Westwood High School in Austin, Texas.

Hill initially met James in 2015 while serving as the head coach at Concordia-Texas University while James was a player at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.

Hill said James, who grew up in Killeen, Texas, as the son of two high-school coaches, was often asking him how to go into college-golf coaching. Hill aided James in landing his first job, as a graduate assistant at East Texas Baptist University, where he “fell in love with recruiting,” according to Hill.

Before being selected to oversee USW’s golf programs last year, James worked as an assistant at Howard Payne and then as the head coach at Brownwood High.

Hill remarked of James, “Want to talk about a terrific, young coach who did things the proper way.” “He thought that no matter what your grade was, if you wanted to improve, he would help you in any way he could. And there aren’t many young men who are eager to take on and mold initiatives. His smile always lighted up the room, and he enjoyed golf and recruiting.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Hill says he texted James. Between rounds, James inquired about how to correct the swing of one of his players, who had been tugging the ball. Hill instructed James to examine the child’s ball position.

“”He was always striving to improve,” Hill continued, “and he cared.” He was concerned for his children.”

The names of the players slain have not been revealed since the families have yet to be notified. Not all of the USW golfers were on the van, according to Williams, as a number of them were from the Midland area and chose to spend the night with their families. When the tournament is within a couple of hours of campus, he continued, it is normal for lesser colleges to commute.

“It’s a little further than we usually go,” he explained, “but it’s not unheard of.”

The fatal crash, according to Hill, is “every coach’s worst nightmare.”

Hill stated, “Talk to any coach, and they’ll tell you that.” “You’ve got to hop in the van after coaching all day, all week, and drive other parents’ kids home, and you’re in charge of them, and you’re weary, and it’s been a long week; I mean, it’s scary.” Coaches at smaller schools can’t afford to fly their students home on hired planes. And it’s considerably riskier if he has to commute between rounds. You’re out there for warmup, 36 holes, and then cool down, which is a lot of golf. There aren’t many people who have to work 16 hours a day and then have to drive home with 14 other children.

“I’m hoping something positive comes out of this.”

Williams texted the other coaches early Wednesday morning, still in shock from Tuesday night’s devastating news, to inform them that the last round had been canceled out of respect for the victims. He did, however, invite the teams back to Ranchland Hills to weep and pray together.

Williams’ offer was accepted by six teams.

“We prayed for them, for the children and their families, and for our own children who had lost friendships,” Williams explained. “Everyone agreed that this does put golf into perspective.” They were out on a wonderful sunny day, enjoying the day and the camaraderie of college golf, as well as the beautiful weather and golf course — and then they were gone the next day. You never know what might happen. There are no guarantees in terms of minutes or days.

“I’ve lost a dear buddy, but many parents have lost lovely children.” It’s a difficult time for everyone.”