2012 FOOTBALL Jimmy Williams Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
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immy Williams, a former Nebraska great who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, is in his first season on the coaching staff at UAB. Williams will serve as assistant head coach and coach the Blazers’ defensive line. Williams most recently was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University at Buffalo, where he spent three seasons. Williams’ college coaching career also includes stints at Mid-American Conference member Toledo as well as Grand Valley State and his alma mater. At Buffalo, he was instrumental in turning
The Williams File Born: Nov. 15, 1960 (Washington, D.C.) Hometown: Washington, D.C. Family: Wife Crystal; Daughters Brittney (24), Nia (21), Faith (16), Joy (14), Janell (13); Son Jimmy (13) Education College: William Tyndale, 1999 Nebraska High School: Woodrow Wilson, 1978
around the Bulls’ program. The 2008 team won the first MAC championship in school history and the program’s first-ever bowl bid with a trip to the International Bowl. In 2007, Williams mentored four Buffalo defensive players to All-MAC honors, including a pair of linebackers, Kareem Byrom and Larry Hutchinson. Williams’ teams at his previous stops also saw great success, including a MAC Championship game berth at Toledo in 2002, a trip to the Division II national championship game at Grand Valley State in 2001 and a bowl win at Nebraska in 2003. Williams also served an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004. Williams was one of the greatest defensive players in Nebraska history after walking on to the team from Washington, D.C. A first-team All-American at Nebraska as a defensive end, Williams was chosen in the first round (15th overall) of the 1982 draft and played nine seasons with the Detroit Lions (1982-90), one with Minnesota (1991) and his final two with Tampa Bay (1992-93). He was twice named the Lions’ team MVP in 1984 and 1987. U A B
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Coaching Experience Present UAB (Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Line) 2006-08 Buffalo (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) 2004 Kansas City Chiefs (Intern) 2003 Nebraska (Linebackers) 2002 Toledo (Defensive Line) 2001 Grand Valley State (Defensive Line) 1999-2000 Pontiac Central (Mich.) High School (Head Coach) 1994-98 Pontiac North (Mich.) High School (Defensive Coordinator) Playing Experience 1992-93 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1991 Minnesota Vikings 1982-90 Detroit Lions 1978-81 Nebraska Bowls/Postseasons as a Coach 2009 International Buffalo 2003 Alamo Nebraska 2002 Motor City Toledo 2001 D-II Championship Game Grand Valley State Bowls 1982 1980 1980 1979
as a Player Orange Nebraska Sun Nebraska Cotton Nebraska Orange Nebraska
After his playing career ended, Williams coached at Pontiac Northern High School in Michigan, serving as defensive coordinator. He later was head coach at Pontiac Central High School for the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Tyndale College in Michigan in 1999 while he was coaching in the high school ranks. He and his wife, the former Crystal McGant, are the parents of six children: Brittney (24), Nia (21), Faith (16), Joy (14), Janell (13) and Jimmy (13).