Role: Linebackers Coach
Previous Role: Assistant Linebackers Coach
Previous Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 34
Experience
Williams logged 376 tackles, 27 TFL, 5 INT, and 10 PBU along with 3 sacks and 11 sacks in his four seasons with West Chester where upon graduating in 2014 he was hired as the Widener linebackers coach in 2016. In 2017, Williams joined Temple as a grad assistant for linebackers till 2018, where in 2019 he was hired by the Chicago Bears as a quality control coach and assistant LB coach. Williams held that role till 2023 where he was hired by the Eagles as their nickels coach. He was then named an assistant LB coach in 2024 and 2025.
*I won’t be touching on experience more than a decade old, for any of these breakdowns unless it’s a very key thing to note*
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Temple Owls (2017-2018) – NCAA
Williams got his first start coaching under former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins, who was 15-10 in his two seasons at Temple and previously worked as a defensive coordinator at FIU, Mississippi State, and Florida. Additionally, Williams worked under current Ohio State Co-DC/DB coach Taver Johnson & Georgia LB Coach Andrew Thacker. In 2018, Williams would work under Thacker again who served as the Temple DC along with Georgia LB coach Larry Knight.
Williams would work with LB Shaun Bradley who logged 163 tackles, 15 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 INT, a TD, a FF, and 5 PBU from 2017-2018 who would then go on to be drafted by the Eagles in the 6th round of the 2020 draft. Bradley also assisted with linebacker Chapelle Russell earning 140 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, 4 PBU, 5 FF, 2 TD, and 2 FF before being a 2020 7th round selection by the Buccaneers. Additionally, linebacker Sam Franklin who was undrafted in 2020 but has gone on to log a career 788 snaps posted 122 tackles, 17 TFL, 7 sacks, INT, 7 PBU, FR, and 2 FF in his two seasons with Williams. Additionally, Williams & the rest of the LB staff would work with NFL players EDGE Jacob Martin, EDGE Quincy Roche, and CB Rock Ya-Sin.
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Chicago Bears (2019-2022)
2019 saw Williams get his first start with an NFL gig working under Chuck Pagano, Chiefs Asst. HC Mark DeLeone, former DC Sean Desai, Saints OLB coach Jay Rodgers, Jaguars LB coach Bill Shuey, Clemson DL Coach Chris Rumph, Titans LB coach Dave Borgonzi, and Raiders DL Caoch Travis Smith through his four seasons with Chicago. In 2019, linebacker Roquan Smith recorded 101 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, an INT, 2 PBU, and 2 QB hits in just 12 games while Nick Kwiatkowski posted 76 tackles, 3 sacks, 8 TFL, an INT, 4 PBU, and 3 FF in 16 games. Additionally Danny Trevathan turned in 70 tackles, a sack, and 2 TFL in just nine games.
2020 saw Roquan Smith log an All-Pro selection after 140 tackles, 19 TFL, 7 QB hits, 2 INT, 7 PBU, a FF, and 5 sacks while Danny Trevathan also posted 113 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 PBU, a FF, and 3 sacks. Additionally linebackers Barkevious Mingo & James Vaughters posted 30+ tackle seasons. 2021 continued the run for Roquan Smith posting 163 tackles, 15 TFL, 5 QB Hits, 5 sacks, an INT, TD, and 6 PBU while being an All-Pro as well. Alec Ogletree turned in 90 tackles, 5 TFL, and 5 PBU in 16 games with other linebackers Trevis Gipson posting 39 tackles, 7 TFL, 7.5 sacks, and 5 FF. In his final season with the Bears, Roquan Smith posted a third straight All-Pro selection with 83 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 2.5 sacks, and 8 TFL in just 8 games before being trade to the Ravens at the deadline. Additionally linebacker Nicholas Morrow posted 116 tackles, 12 TFL, an INT, and 2 PBU. Linebackers Jack Sanborn posted 70 tackles, 5 TFL, and 2 sacks as a UDFA with Joe Thomas also noted 62 tackles and 5 TFL.
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Philadelphia Eagles (2023)
In his first season with the Eagles, Williams would coach the teams nickel corners and nickel linebackers, working under the previously mentioned Desai & Taver Johnson along with current Kansas DC DK McDonald, NC State defensive coordinator DJ Eliot. While working with Williams, cornerback Bradley Roby took majority of the nickel snaps posting 22 tackles and 2 PBU in 317 snaps while allowing 23 receptions for 168 yards, and a 70.9 QBR. Additionally, veteran Kevin Byard logged 75 tackles, 3 PBU, and an interception in 10 games while ranking 7th in the NFL for slot coverage, with Roby ranking 5th. Williams also worked with current Seahawks CB Josh Jobe, who spent time in Philadelphia in their nickel. Cornerback Eli Ricks allowed a 84.3 QBR and 17 receptions in the slot, while safety Sydney Brown also allowed a 90.9 QBR in the slot.
Philadelphia Eagles (2024-2025)
Williams would transition to an assistant LB role in 2024 and 2025, working under current Eagles LB coach Bobby King, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Eagles OLB coach Jeremiah Washburn, and Cowboys DB Coach Christian Parker. Williams would see veteran linebacker Zack Baun earn All-Pro honors and finish 4th in DPOY voting after converting to off-ball LB from EDGE posting 151 tackles, 11 TFL, 7 hits, 5 PBU, 5 FF, and 2 INT in 16 games. Baul would also post 33 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PBU, a FF, and 4 TFL in his 4 playoff games. The Eagles saw production from pending FA Nakobe Dean who notched 128 tackles, an INT, 4 PBU, a FF, 3 sacks, and 9 TFL. Additionally, outside linebacker Nolan Smith notched 42 tackles, 6 sacks, 12 TFL, and 17 QB hits with another 4 sacks in the playoffs. Linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Oren Burks both logged over 35 tackles with Burks posting 4 TFL as well.
In 2025, Baun was a Pro-Bowler posting 123 tackles, 7 TFL, 9 PBU, a FF, 3.5 sacks, and 2 INT while rookie Jihaad Campbell posted 80 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 PBU, a FF, and 7 QB hits. Linebacker Nakobe Dean only appeared in 10 games but logged a PBU, 2 FF, 4 sacks, 55 tackles, and 9 TFL with Jeremiah Trotter posting 32 tackles, 2 TFL, and a sack. Outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt led the Eagles in sacks with 6.5 and 9 TFL along with 24 QB hits, while Jaelan Phillips also posted 2 sacks, 29 tackles, 5 TFL, and 9 QB hits in just 8 games with the Eagles.
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Philosophy
Williams comes from a long pedigree of advanced linebacker development back to his days with Temple, and has also gotten experience working with a variety of coaching staffs that consistently prioritize linebacker attention to detail, focus on run defense, and a prioritization of blitz packages involving stunts and coffee house blitzes. Additionally, Williams has a very aggressive downhill philosophy with an emphasis on pushing downhill, making plays on the ball, and relentless approach. Williams has been noted by players as being a very smart coach, with an emphasis on subtle details, special teams, and consistent development throughout.
Players to Watch, Connections:
The biggest name to watch, is linebacker Nakobe Dean who is very unlikely to return to Philadelphia this off-season and at 25 years old will be set to cash in on his standout seasons in 2023-2025. When it was announced Williams was the next LB coach of the Raiders, Dean made multiple social media posts about his excitement, and with the Raiders desperate need at linebacker the fit seems nearly perfect. Cornerback Josh Jobe, who worked under Williams in 2023 with the Eagles is coming off a season where he posted 54 tackles, an INT, 14 PBU, and another 2 PBU and 11 tackles in the playoffs while allowing 45 receptions, 516 yards, 2 TD, and a 69.9 QBR this season. Jobe wouldn’t work directly under Williams, but the experience there and with head coach Klint Kubiak could help draw him to Las Vegas. Pass rusher Jaelan Phillips is set to hit free agency, and likely is priced out with the Eagles and his connections to Williams this season plus experience working with defensive coordinator Rob Leonard could be an option for Las Vegas needing pass rushers. While not a free agent till 2028, Ravens LB Roquan Smith who holds a 33 million cap hit in 2026 and 2027 could be a potential trade or cut candidate this off-season, but the Ravens and Jesse Minter may want to retain him.
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