Why defensive coordinator Brian Williams came to Jacksonville State from Power 4 Maryland
For one of the first times since coming to Jacksonville State football, new defensive coordinator Brian Williams spoke to media and talked about why he made the move from a Power 4 to the Group of 5 program. Williams started as a high school coach in Florida, and found a mentor in Kelly. The two first met on staff at Florida State before Kelly brought him to Jacksonville State.
"I think the fact, my history with coach Kelly. Coach has been, since I was a high school coach down in Florida back in his days coaching at Georgia Tech, to learn a lot about ball from him, a lot about the business from him. Him being a mentor to me and my career," Williams said. "When he got this opportunity, it was something that was an eye brow raiser for myself. Then there was a lot of transitioning happening at Maryland at the time, I just felt like this would be an opportunity for me to continue to stay in the role of being a defensive coordinator, get back with a coach that I've known for my entire career, that I have respect for and learned a lot from, and get a little bit closer to my roots being a southern guy myself."
Williams was hired in February, replacing Vinnie Sunseri who moved to Florida to be a co-defensive coordinator. Sunseri was the first hire for the defensive coordinator role by Kelly.
Williams came by way of Maryland, where he was the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. He spent time as the defensive line coach and outside linebackers coach for the Terrapins as well. He had been that program since the 2019 season. Williams previously has coached at UAB, helping lead them to a Conference USA title game appearance and as an analyst at Florida State.
It was at Florida State that Williams overlapped with Kelly who was the special teams coordinator and linebacker coach in 2013 before being promoted to the defensive coordinator role in 2014.
PRACTICE NOTES: Jacksonville State football: Where does Gamecocks QB battle stand, practice observations
DEFENSIVE PREVIEW: Jacksonville State football summer report: Will Gamecocks find defensive production in 2025?
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Why DC Brian Williams left Power 4 program for Jacksonville State football
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