Football
Williams, Bobby
Bobby Williams
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Bobby Williams joined Mario Cristobal’s staff in January 2018 as Oregon’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, giving the Ducks a veteran coach with more than three decades of collegiate and professional coaching experience.
Williams came to Oregon after 10 seasons at Alabama (2008-17), where he worked on staff with Cristobal from 2013 to 2016. Williams served as special assistant to head coach Nick Saban in 2016 and 2017 after working for eight years (2008-15) as the Crimson Tide’s tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.
Prior to working with Saban on the Crimson Tide staff, Williams worked with him as the running backs coach for the Miami Dolphins (2005-06) and Michigan State (1990-99) as well as the wide receivers coach at LSU (2004). Williams replaced Saban at Michigan State in 2000 and was the Spartans head coach for three seasons. He spent a year in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 2003 before returning to the college game at LSU.
Williams earned his first full-time coaching role at Ball State (1983-84) as running backs and defensive backs coach and followed that with a five-year stint at Eastern Michigan (1985-89). Williams coached running backs at Eastern Michigan from 1985-1988, and then earned the title of assistant head coach for the 1989 season.
Oregon (2018-present)
In three seasons at Oregon, Williams has helped lead the Ducks to back-to-back Pac-12 Championships and three bowl appearances. The Ducks won the 2019 Rose Bowl in Williams’ second season in Eugene. He coached first-team All-Pac-12 special teams players in back-to-back seasons - Brady Breeze (2019) and Braden Schooler (2018).
In 2020, Hunter Kampmoyer finished second on the Ducks with three receiving touchdowns. The senior tight end also racked up 161 yards in the shortened season on 11.50 yards per completion. Oregon’s special teams group nailed all 26 of their extra points as the Ducks won the Pac-12 title.
Williams’ special teams unit contributed a pair of kick return touchdowns to the Ducks’ Rose Bowl run in 2019. Mykael Wright returned a kickoff for an 100-yard touchdown against USC and took a kick 98 yards for a score in a win over Oregon State. Jacob Breeland totaled 405 yards and led the Pac-12 with 6 touchdowns as a tight end despite only playing in six games due to injury. Williams coached Breeland to three PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week selections in the six weeks he was eligible.
The Ducks led the Pac-12 in punt return average during Williams first year in Eugene. Oregon’s return team scored one touchdown and finished the 2018 season with an average punt return of 12 yards. Kicker Adam Stack hit all 36 of his extra point attempts during the season. Jacob Breeland led Williams’ tight end group with an average of 15.71 yards per completion and a pair of touchdowns.
Alabama (2008-2017)
Williams helped Alabama win five national championships over ten years in Tuscaloosa. He served as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for his first eight seasons at Alabama before moving into a new role as special assistant to the head coach for 2016 and 2017. The Crimson Tide reached the College Football Playoff four times with Williams on the staff and played in the national championship game six times.
As special assistant to the head coach, Williams helped guide the Crimson Tide to the 2017 national championship as well as a runner-up finish in 2016. Alabama finished with a combined record of 27-2 during Williams’ tenure in that position.
The 2015 season saw tight end O.J. Howard rack up 602 receiving yards on 38 catches with Williams as his position coach. Howard shined in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game that season, racking up 208 yards and two touchdowns on five catches to earn Offensive MVP honors and lead the Crimson Tide to the national title win over Clemson.
Williams’ special teams unit also proved to be a huge factor in Alabama’s national championship victory, as kicker Adam Griffith successfully executed an onside kick in a tie game with just 10:34 left in the game to give the Crimson Tide the ball and set up a go-ahead touchdown. With less than eight minutes to play, Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to extend Alabama’s lead to 38-27 and help seal the national title win.
Griffith earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2015 after making 23-of-32 field goals and averaging 63.2 yards on kickoffs with a career-best 55 touchbacks, and punter JK Scott averaged 44.2 yards per punt while pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 25 times.
In 2014, Scott was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award and earned All-America honors after averaging 48.0 yards per punt to lead the nation as a true freshman. He also led the nation in percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line (54.2) and net punting yardage (44.67).
Senior punter Cody Mandell flourished under Williams' tutelage in 2013 with a school-record 47.1 yard punting average on 39 attempts, leading the nation in net punting at 42.4 yards per punt. Christion Jones ranked second in the SEC in both kickoff and punt returns.
In 2012, Williams was a nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, presented to the national assistant coach of the year, as he helped lead the Tide to their second straight national title. Jeremy Shelley was the only kicker in the nation to not miss a kick, going 69-for-69 on extra points and hitting all 11 of his field goals. Mandell turned in a career season with a 44.3 yards-per-kick average, 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and 14 punts of more than 50 yards.
On special teams in Alabama’s 2011 national championship season, Marquis Maze ranked ninth in the nation and third in the SEC with 13.2 yards per punt return and one touchdown, earning him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team as a specialist. Alabama ranked 19th in the nation in kickoff returns (24.1 ypg), and the Tide allowed only 11 punts to be returned for a total of 51 yards.
In 2010, Trent Richardson ranked 29th nationally in kickoff returns and Maze was 16th in punt returns.
During the Tide’s 2009 national championship season, tight end Colin Peek emerged as one of the team's top targets, earning second-team All-SEC honors after hauling in 26 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Williams also oversaw 2009 Lou Groza finalist Leigh Tiffin at place-kicker, and Tiffin also earned first-team All-America status. Additionally, Javier Arenas set the SEC career records for both punt return yards and touchdowns. P.J. Fitzgerald landed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging 41.5 yards per kick.
Special teams proved to be a big weapon for the Tide under Williams in his first season in Tuscaloosa. Arenas broke two punt returns for touchdowns, Tiffin was a Groza Award semifinalist and connected on 20-of-29 on field goals, while Fitzgerald averaged a then-career-best 41.1 yards per punt with 15 inside the 20.
Miami Dolphins (2005-06)
In his first season coaching running backs in the NFL, Miami averaged 118.6 yards rushing per game, the second-best figure by the team from 1985-2005. Williams coached the Dolphins running back duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to 4.4 yards per carry with a combined 10 touchdowns on the ground. Brown progressed to break the 1,000-yard barrier in his second season coached by Williams, totaling 1,008 yards and five rushing touchdowns in 2006.
LSU (2004)
Williams coached a deep LSU receiver room that included future Kansas City Chief Dwayne Bowe as the Tigers went 9-3 en route to the Capitol One Bowl. Bowe and Craig Davis each surpassed 500 yards receiving in 2004. The Tigers were ranked in the AP Top-25 throughout the season, peaking at No. 5.
Detroit Lions (2003)
The longtime college coach made his first foray into pro football with the Lions. Three different receivers – Az-Zahir Hakim, Bill Schroeder and Scotty Anderson – totaled at least 300 yards and two touchdowns with Williams as their position coach.
Michigan State (1990-2002)
Williams’ 13-year stint in East Lansing included 10 years as an assistant before being named head coach. The Spartans reached seven bowl games with Williams on the coaching staff, including wins at the 2000 Citrus Bowl and 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. He coached 13 NFL Draft picks and 10 All-Americans at MSU.
After 10 years as an assistant, Michigan State promoted Williams to head coach in 2000. He remained in the position into the 2003 season. He compiled a 16-17 record at MSU with a 6-15 mark in Big Ten play. He was initially selected as the interim head coach for the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl and earned the full-time position after the Spartans defeated Florida 37-34.
In his second year at the helm of the Michigan State program, Williams led the Spartans to a 17-10 win over No. 23 Notre Dame and beat No. 6 Michigan 26-24 to earn the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans earned a bid to the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic and knocked off No. 20 Fresno State 44-35 behind two touchdowns from T.J. Duckett.
Duckett was the first of two first round picks for Michigan State with Williams as the head coach. The running back was an opening round choice in 2002 while receiver Charles Rogers went in the first round in 2003. Nine Spartans heard their names called in the NFL Draft over Williams’ three seasons as head coach in East Lansing.
Prior to being named head coach, Williams was the Spartans running backs coach from 1990-1999. He earned the title of associate head coach for the 1999 season. The 1999 Spartans posted their best season in 12 years behind Williams’ running back duo of Duckett and Lloyd Clemons. Both players rushed for more than five yards per carry as Michigan State went 10-2.
Williams’ promotion to associate head coach came after MSU relied on the run game throughout the previous four seasons. In 1998, second-team All-Big Ten selection Sedrick Irvin scampered for 1,167 yards and 10 touchdowns before becoming a fourth-round NFL Draft pick. The 1997 season saw the Spartans rush for 186.8 yards per game thanks to a combined 2,015 yards rushing from Irvin and backup Marc Renaud. Michigan State went 6-6 in 1998 and qualified for the Aloha Bowl before finishing with a 7-5 record in 1997.
Williams coached Irvin to his first of three 1,000-yard seasons in 1996 as the Spartans made the Sun Bowl with a 6-6 record. Saban retained Williams after a coaching change in 1995, and Williams coached Renaud to a 1,057-yard season. The Spartans reached the Independence Bowl and finished the year with a 6-6 record.
Prior to Saban’s arrival, Williams served as the running backs coach for George Perles from 1990-1994. Three of Williams’ running backs – Scott Greene, Brice Adams and Hyland Hickson – were selected in the NFL Draft during his first four years in East Lansing. Running backs accounted for four All-Big Ten selections while Williams worked under Perles.
Eastern Michigan (1985-1989)
Williams’ second coaching job also came in Michigan. He served as the running backs coach for Eastern Michigan for five seasons, earning a promotion to assistant head coach in 1989. The Eagles went 33-20-2 while Williams was in Ypsilanti. While at EMU, Williams coached Gary Patton to a pair of honorable mention All-American awards in 1986 and 1987. Patton went on to be selected in the 1988 NFL Draft after leading EMU to a win in the 1987 California Bowl.
Ball State (1983-1984)
Williams coached on both sides of the ball during his first year in Muncie. The Cardinals ground game rushed for 123 yards per game in 1983 while Williams’ defensive backs held opposing teams under 200 passing yards per game. The opposition scored just one passing touchdown per game on the Cardinals defensive backs. In his second season with the team, Williams’ defensive backs allowed just 168.8 passing yards per game and picked off 10 passes.
Personal
A native of St. Louis, Williams and his wife, Sheila, have a daughter, Nataly, and a son, Nicholas.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 Pac-12– Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2019 Pac-12– Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2019 Pac-12 North – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2016 SEC – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2016 SEC West – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2015 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2009 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2009 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2008 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
1990 Big 10* – Michigan State (Running Backs)
* Co-champions
BOWL GAMES
2021 Fiesta Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2020 Rose Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2018 Redbox Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2018 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2018 Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2017 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2016 Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2016 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 Sugar Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2013 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2011 Capital One Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2010 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2008 Sugar Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2005 Capital One Bowl – LSU (Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers)
2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic – Michigan State (Head Coach)
2000 Florida Citrus Bowl – Michigan State (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs)
1997 Aloha Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1996 Sun Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1995 Independence Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1993 Liberty Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1990 John Hancock Bowl – Eastern Michigan (Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs)
1987 California Bowl – Eastern Michigan (Running Backs)
NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED & RECRUITED (18)
2018 (RD 5) P J.K. Scott – Alabama – Green Bay Packers
2017 (RD 1) TE OJ Howard – Alabama – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 (RD 7) TE Michael Williams – Alabama – Detroit Lions
2012 (RD 7) TE Brad Smelley – Alabama – Cleveland Browns
2003 (RD 1) WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Detroit Lions
2002 (RD 1) RB T.J Duckett – Michigan State – Atlanta Falcons
2002 (RD 3) TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – New York Jets
2002 (RD 5) WR Herb Haygood – Michigan State – Denver Broncos
2002 (RD 5) DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – San Francisco 49ers
2002 (RD 6) P Craig Jarrett – Michigan State – Seattle Seahawks
2001 (RD 7) DB Renaldo Hill – Michigan State – Arizona Cardinals
2001 (RD 7) T Tupe Peko – Michigan State – New York Jets
2001 (RD 7) LB T.J. Turner – Michigan State – New England Patriots
1999 (RD 4) RB Sedrick Irvin – Michigan State – Detroit Lions
1996 (RD 6) RB Scott Greene – Michigan State – Carolina Panthers
1994 (RD 7) RB Brice Abrams – Michigan State – Pittsburgh Steelers
1991 (RD 10) RB Hyland Hickson – Michigan State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1988 (RD 7) RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – New York Jets
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS COACHED
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Biletnikoff Award
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Warfield Trophy
ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2016 TE O.J. Howard – Alabama (PFF – 1st, AP- 3rd)
2014 P J.K. Scott – Alabama (ESPN, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated – 1st)
2009 K Leigh Tiffin – Alabama (AP, CBS – 1st)
2009 PR Javier Arenas – Alabama (CBS, AP, AFCA - 1st)
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State (FWAA, Walter Camp, AP, AFCA, Sporting News – 1st)
2001 KR Herb Haygood – Michigan State (Sports Illustrated, Walter Camp -1st, Sporting News – 2nd)
2001 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State (Football News – 2nd)
2001 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State (Sporting News, Football News – 3rd)
1987 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan (AP – HM)
1986 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan (AP – HM)
FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2001 LB Ronald Stanley – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2001 G William Whitticker – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2000 C Brian Ottney – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2000 QB Jeff Smoker – Michigan State (Rivals)
2000 DE Greg Taplin – Michigan State (Rivals)
1999 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State (Sporting News)
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR COACHED
2018 TE Hale Hedges – Alabama – SEC (Scholar-Athlete of the Year)
1990 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Offensive Player of the Year)
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS COACHED
2019 ST/S Brady Breeze – Oregon – Pac 12 (Coaches – 1st)
2018 ST/WR Braden Schooler – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – 1st)
2015 K Adam Griffith – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2014 P JK Scott – Alabama – SEC (AP, Coaches – 1st)
2013 RS Christion Jones – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 1st, AP – 2nd)
2013 P Cody Mandell – Alabama – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2011 RS Marquis Maze – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2010 RS Trent Richardson – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2009 K Leigh Tiffin – Alabama – SEC (AP, Coaches – 1st)
2009 RS Javier Arenas – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 1st, AP – 2nd)
2009 TE Collin Peek – Alabama – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2008 RS Javier Arenas – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2002 SS Thomas Wright – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2001 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
2001 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches - HM)
2001 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2001 DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 2nd, Media – HM)
2001 WR Herb Haygood – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 P Craig Jarrett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 CB Broderick Nelson – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2000 CB Renaldo Hill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 1st, Media – 2nd)
2000 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
2000 G Shaun Mason – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2000 CB Cedrick Henry – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2000 FS Richard Newsome – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 2nd, Media – HM)
2000 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 OT Siitupe Peko – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 DT Jace Sayler – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
1999 RB Lloyd Clemons – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – HM)
1998 RB Sedrick Irvin – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
1992 RB Craig Thomas – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches HM)
1992 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
1991 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
1990 RB Hyland Hickson – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
1989 RB Perry Foster – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
1987 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
1986 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
Williams came to Oregon after 10 seasons at Alabama (2008-17), where he worked on staff with Cristobal from 2013 to 2016. Williams served as special assistant to head coach Nick Saban in 2016 and 2017 after working for eight years (2008-15) as the Crimson Tide’s tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.
Prior to working with Saban on the Crimson Tide staff, Williams worked with him as the running backs coach for the Miami Dolphins (2005-06) and Michigan State (1990-99) as well as the wide receivers coach at LSU (2004). Williams replaced Saban at Michigan State in 2000 and was the Spartans head coach for three seasons. He spent a year in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 2003 before returning to the college game at LSU.
Williams earned his first full-time coaching role at Ball State (1983-84) as running backs and defensive backs coach and followed that with a five-year stint at Eastern Michigan (1985-89). Williams coached running backs at Eastern Michigan from 1985-1988, and then earned the title of assistant head coach for the 1989 season.
Oregon (2018-present)
In three seasons at Oregon, Williams has helped lead the Ducks to back-to-back Pac-12 Championships and three bowl appearances. The Ducks won the 2019 Rose Bowl in Williams’ second season in Eugene. He coached first-team All-Pac-12 special teams players in back-to-back seasons - Brady Breeze (2019) and Braden Schooler (2018).
In 2020, Hunter Kampmoyer finished second on the Ducks with three receiving touchdowns. The senior tight end also racked up 161 yards in the shortened season on 11.50 yards per completion. Oregon’s special teams group nailed all 26 of their extra points as the Ducks won the Pac-12 title.
Williams’ special teams unit contributed a pair of kick return touchdowns to the Ducks’ Rose Bowl run in 2019. Mykael Wright returned a kickoff for an 100-yard touchdown against USC and took a kick 98 yards for a score in a win over Oregon State. Jacob Breeland totaled 405 yards and led the Pac-12 with 6 touchdowns as a tight end despite only playing in six games due to injury. Williams coached Breeland to three PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week selections in the six weeks he was eligible.
The Ducks led the Pac-12 in punt return average during Williams first year in Eugene. Oregon’s return team scored one touchdown and finished the 2018 season with an average punt return of 12 yards. Kicker Adam Stack hit all 36 of his extra point attempts during the season. Jacob Breeland led Williams’ tight end group with an average of 15.71 yards per completion and a pair of touchdowns.
Alabama (2008-2017)
Williams helped Alabama win five national championships over ten years in Tuscaloosa. He served as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for his first eight seasons at Alabama before moving into a new role as special assistant to the head coach for 2016 and 2017. The Crimson Tide reached the College Football Playoff four times with Williams on the staff and played in the national championship game six times.
As special assistant to the head coach, Williams helped guide the Crimson Tide to the 2017 national championship as well as a runner-up finish in 2016. Alabama finished with a combined record of 27-2 during Williams’ tenure in that position.
The 2015 season saw tight end O.J. Howard rack up 602 receiving yards on 38 catches with Williams as his position coach. Howard shined in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game that season, racking up 208 yards and two touchdowns on five catches to earn Offensive MVP honors and lead the Crimson Tide to the national title win over Clemson.
Williams’ special teams unit also proved to be a huge factor in Alabama’s national championship victory, as kicker Adam Griffith successfully executed an onside kick in a tie game with just 10:34 left in the game to give the Crimson Tide the ball and set up a go-ahead touchdown. With less than eight minutes to play, Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to extend Alabama’s lead to 38-27 and help seal the national title win.
Griffith earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2015 after making 23-of-32 field goals and averaging 63.2 yards on kickoffs with a career-best 55 touchbacks, and punter JK Scott averaged 44.2 yards per punt while pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 25 times.
In 2014, Scott was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award and earned All-America honors after averaging 48.0 yards per punt to lead the nation as a true freshman. He also led the nation in percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line (54.2) and net punting yardage (44.67).
Senior punter Cody Mandell flourished under Williams' tutelage in 2013 with a school-record 47.1 yard punting average on 39 attempts, leading the nation in net punting at 42.4 yards per punt. Christion Jones ranked second in the SEC in both kickoff and punt returns.
In 2012, Williams was a nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, presented to the national assistant coach of the year, as he helped lead the Tide to their second straight national title. Jeremy Shelley was the only kicker in the nation to not miss a kick, going 69-for-69 on extra points and hitting all 11 of his field goals. Mandell turned in a career season with a 44.3 yards-per-kick average, 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and 14 punts of more than 50 yards.
On special teams in Alabama’s 2011 national championship season, Marquis Maze ranked ninth in the nation and third in the SEC with 13.2 yards per punt return and one touchdown, earning him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team as a specialist. Alabama ranked 19th in the nation in kickoff returns (24.1 ypg), and the Tide allowed only 11 punts to be returned for a total of 51 yards.
In 2010, Trent Richardson ranked 29th nationally in kickoff returns and Maze was 16th in punt returns.
During the Tide’s 2009 national championship season, tight end Colin Peek emerged as one of the team's top targets, earning second-team All-SEC honors after hauling in 26 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Williams also oversaw 2009 Lou Groza finalist Leigh Tiffin at place-kicker, and Tiffin also earned first-team All-America status. Additionally, Javier Arenas set the SEC career records for both punt return yards and touchdowns. P.J. Fitzgerald landed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging 41.5 yards per kick.
Special teams proved to be a big weapon for the Tide under Williams in his first season in Tuscaloosa. Arenas broke two punt returns for touchdowns, Tiffin was a Groza Award semifinalist and connected on 20-of-29 on field goals, while Fitzgerald averaged a then-career-best 41.1 yards per punt with 15 inside the 20.
Miami Dolphins (2005-06)
In his first season coaching running backs in the NFL, Miami averaged 118.6 yards rushing per game, the second-best figure by the team from 1985-2005. Williams coached the Dolphins running back duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to 4.4 yards per carry with a combined 10 touchdowns on the ground. Brown progressed to break the 1,000-yard barrier in his second season coached by Williams, totaling 1,008 yards and five rushing touchdowns in 2006.
LSU (2004)
Williams coached a deep LSU receiver room that included future Kansas City Chief Dwayne Bowe as the Tigers went 9-3 en route to the Capitol One Bowl. Bowe and Craig Davis each surpassed 500 yards receiving in 2004. The Tigers were ranked in the AP Top-25 throughout the season, peaking at No. 5.
Detroit Lions (2003)
The longtime college coach made his first foray into pro football with the Lions. Three different receivers – Az-Zahir Hakim, Bill Schroeder and Scotty Anderson – totaled at least 300 yards and two touchdowns with Williams as their position coach.
Michigan State (1990-2002)
Williams’ 13-year stint in East Lansing included 10 years as an assistant before being named head coach. The Spartans reached seven bowl games with Williams on the coaching staff, including wins at the 2000 Citrus Bowl and 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. He coached 13 NFL Draft picks and 10 All-Americans at MSU.
After 10 years as an assistant, Michigan State promoted Williams to head coach in 2000. He remained in the position into the 2003 season. He compiled a 16-17 record at MSU with a 6-15 mark in Big Ten play. He was initially selected as the interim head coach for the 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl and earned the full-time position after the Spartans defeated Florida 37-34.
In his second year at the helm of the Michigan State program, Williams led the Spartans to a 17-10 win over No. 23 Notre Dame and beat No. 6 Michigan 26-24 to earn the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans earned a bid to the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic and knocked off No. 20 Fresno State 44-35 behind two touchdowns from T.J. Duckett.
Duckett was the first of two first round picks for Michigan State with Williams as the head coach. The running back was an opening round choice in 2002 while receiver Charles Rogers went in the first round in 2003. Nine Spartans heard their names called in the NFL Draft over Williams’ three seasons as head coach in East Lansing.
Prior to being named head coach, Williams was the Spartans running backs coach from 1990-1999. He earned the title of associate head coach for the 1999 season. The 1999 Spartans posted their best season in 12 years behind Williams’ running back duo of Duckett and Lloyd Clemons. Both players rushed for more than five yards per carry as Michigan State went 10-2.
Williams’ promotion to associate head coach came after MSU relied on the run game throughout the previous four seasons. In 1998, second-team All-Big Ten selection Sedrick Irvin scampered for 1,167 yards and 10 touchdowns before becoming a fourth-round NFL Draft pick. The 1997 season saw the Spartans rush for 186.8 yards per game thanks to a combined 2,015 yards rushing from Irvin and backup Marc Renaud. Michigan State went 6-6 in 1998 and qualified for the Aloha Bowl before finishing with a 7-5 record in 1997.
Williams coached Irvin to his first of three 1,000-yard seasons in 1996 as the Spartans made the Sun Bowl with a 6-6 record. Saban retained Williams after a coaching change in 1995, and Williams coached Renaud to a 1,057-yard season. The Spartans reached the Independence Bowl and finished the year with a 6-6 record.
Prior to Saban’s arrival, Williams served as the running backs coach for George Perles from 1990-1994. Three of Williams’ running backs – Scott Greene, Brice Adams and Hyland Hickson – were selected in the NFL Draft during his first four years in East Lansing. Running backs accounted for four All-Big Ten selections while Williams worked under Perles.
Eastern Michigan (1985-1989)
Williams’ second coaching job also came in Michigan. He served as the running backs coach for Eastern Michigan for five seasons, earning a promotion to assistant head coach in 1989. The Eagles went 33-20-2 while Williams was in Ypsilanti. While at EMU, Williams coached Gary Patton to a pair of honorable mention All-American awards in 1986 and 1987. Patton went on to be selected in the 1988 NFL Draft after leading EMU to a win in the 1987 California Bowl.
Ball State (1983-1984)
Williams coached on both sides of the ball during his first year in Muncie. The Cardinals ground game rushed for 123 yards per game in 1983 while Williams’ defensive backs held opposing teams under 200 passing yards per game. The opposition scored just one passing touchdown per game on the Cardinals defensive backs. In his second season with the team, Williams’ defensive backs allowed just 168.8 passing yards per game and picked off 10 passes.
Personal
A native of St. Louis, Williams and his wife, Sheila, have a daughter, Nataly, and a son, Nicholas.
| Year(s) | Position | Program |
| 2018-present | Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends | Oregon |
| 2016-17 | Special Assistant to the Head Coach | Alabama |
| 2008-15 | Tight Ends/Special Teams | Alabama |
| 2005-06 | Running Backs | Miami Dolphins (NFL) |
| 2004 | Associate Head Coach/ Wide Receivers | LSU |
| 2003 | Wide Receivers | Detroit Lions (NFL) |
| 2000-02 | Head Coach | Michigan State |
| 1999 | Associate Head Coach/ Running Backs | Michigan State |
| 1990-98 | Running Backs | Michigan State |
| 1989 | Assistant Head Coach/ Running Backs | Eastern Michigan |
| 1985-88 | Running Backs | Eastern Michigan |
| 1983-84 | Running Backs, Defensive Backs | Ball State |
| Year | School | Record | Conf. Record |
| 2002 | Michigan State | 3-6 | 1-4 |
| 2001 | Michigan State | 7-5 | 3-5 |
| 2000 | Michigan State | 5-6 | 2-6 |
| Total | 3 Seasons | 16-17 (.485) | 6-15 (.292) |
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 Pac-12– Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2019 Pac-12– Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2019 Pac-12 North – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2016 SEC – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2016 SEC West – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2015 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2009 SEC – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2009 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2008 SEC West – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
1990 Big 10* – Michigan State (Running Backs)
* Co-champions
BOWL GAMES
2021 Fiesta Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2020 Rose Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2018 Redbox Bowl – Oregon (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2018 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2018 Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2017 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Asst. to the Head Coach)
2016 Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2016 CFP National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2015 Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2014 Sugar Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2013 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2012 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2011 Capital One Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2010 BCS National Championship Game – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2008 Sugar Bowl – Alabama (Special Teams/Tight Ends)
2005 Capital One Bowl – LSU (Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers)
2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic – Michigan State (Head Coach)
2000 Florida Citrus Bowl – Michigan State (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs)
1997 Aloha Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1996 Sun Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1995 Independence Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1993 Liberty Bowl – Michigan State (Running Backs)
1990 John Hancock Bowl – Eastern Michigan (Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs)
1987 California Bowl – Eastern Michigan (Running Backs)
NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED & RECRUITED (18)
2018 (RD 5) P J.K. Scott – Alabama – Green Bay Packers
2017 (RD 1) TE OJ Howard – Alabama – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 (RD 7) TE Michael Williams – Alabama – Detroit Lions
2012 (RD 7) TE Brad Smelley – Alabama – Cleveland Browns
2003 (RD 1) WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Detroit Lions
2002 (RD 1) RB T.J Duckett – Michigan State – Atlanta Falcons
2002 (RD 3) TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – New York Jets
2002 (RD 5) WR Herb Haygood – Michigan State – Denver Broncos
2002 (RD 5) DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – San Francisco 49ers
2002 (RD 6) P Craig Jarrett – Michigan State – Seattle Seahawks
2001 (RD 7) DB Renaldo Hill – Michigan State – Arizona Cardinals
2001 (RD 7) T Tupe Peko – Michigan State – New York Jets
2001 (RD 7) LB T.J. Turner – Michigan State – New England Patriots
1999 (RD 4) RB Sedrick Irvin – Michigan State – Detroit Lions
1996 (RD 6) RB Scott Greene – Michigan State – Carolina Panthers
1994 (RD 7) RB Brice Abrams – Michigan State – Pittsburgh Steelers
1991 (RD 10) RB Hyland Hickson – Michigan State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1988 (RD 7) RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – New York Jets
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS COACHED
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Biletnikoff Award
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Warfield Trophy
ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2016 TE O.J. Howard – Alabama (PFF – 1st, AP- 3rd)
2014 P J.K. Scott – Alabama (ESPN, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated – 1st)
2009 K Leigh Tiffin – Alabama (AP, CBS – 1st)
2009 PR Javier Arenas – Alabama (CBS, AP, AFCA - 1st)
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State (FWAA, Walter Camp, AP, AFCA, Sporting News – 1st)
2001 KR Herb Haygood – Michigan State (Sports Illustrated, Walter Camp -1st, Sporting News – 2nd)
2001 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State (Football News – 2nd)
2001 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State (Sporting News, Football News – 3rd)
1987 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan (AP – HM)
1986 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan (AP – HM)
FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2001 LB Ronald Stanley – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2001 G William Whitticker – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2000 C Brian Ottney – Michigan State (Sporting News)
2000 QB Jeff Smoker – Michigan State (Rivals)
2000 DE Greg Taplin – Michigan State (Rivals)
1999 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State (Sporting News)
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR COACHED
2018 TE Hale Hedges – Alabama – SEC (Scholar-Athlete of the Year)
1990 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Offensive Player of the Year)
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS COACHED
2019 ST/S Brady Breeze – Oregon – Pac 12 (Coaches – 1st)
2018 ST/WR Braden Schooler – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – 1st)
2015 K Adam Griffith – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2014 P JK Scott – Alabama – SEC (AP, Coaches – 1st)
2013 RS Christion Jones – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 1st, AP – 2nd)
2013 P Cody Mandell – Alabama – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2011 RS Marquis Maze – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2010 RS Trent Richardson – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2009 K Leigh Tiffin – Alabama – SEC (AP, Coaches – 1st)
2009 RS Javier Arenas – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 1st, AP – 2nd)
2009 TE Collin Peek – Alabama – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2008 RS Javier Arenas – Alabama – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2002 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2002 SS Thomas Wright – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2001 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
2001 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches - HM)
2001 WR Charles Rogers – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2001 DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 2nd, Media – HM)
2001 WR Herb Haygood – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 P Craig Jarrett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2001 CB Broderick Nelson – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 LB Josh Thornhill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
2000 CB Renaldo Hill – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 1st, Media – 2nd)
2000 RB T.J. Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
2000 G Shaun Mason – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2000 CB Cedrick Henry – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches – HM)
2000 FS Richard Newsome – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – 2nd, Media – HM)
2000 TE Chris Baker – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 OT Siitupe Peko – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 DT Jace Sayler – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
2000 DT Josh Shaw – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
1999 RB Lloyd Clemons – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches – HM)
1998 RB Sedrick Irvin – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
1992 RB Craig Thomas – Michigan State – Big 10 (Media – 2nd, Coaches HM)
1992 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 1st)
1991 RB Tico Duckett – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – 2nd)
1990 RB Hyland Hickson – Michigan State – Big 10 (Coaches, Media – HM)
1989 RB Perry Foster – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
1987 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
1986 RB Gary Patton – Eastern Michigan – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
Dan Lanning Weekly Press Conference | September 15, 2025
Tuesday, September 16
Ducks vs Them | 2025 Oregon Football Game 3 | “Learn From Our Locker Room"
Monday, September 15
The Shoe Duck Uniform | Design Deep Dive - Oregon Football
Sunday, September 14
Dante Moore | Postgame vs Northwestern
Saturday, September 13
