Brian Williams, Maryland’s defensive coordinator, is expected to leave the Terps after three seasons to join Jacksonville State in the same role, as reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Williams, who has been with Maryland for six years, joined the team under head coach Michael Locksley in 2019 and helped lead the defense to significant improvements in recent years.
During Williams’ tenure, Maryland’s defense saw significant progress in 2022, allowing seven points fewer per game than in 2021. Several Terps players were also selected in the NFL Draft under Williams’ coaching, including Jakorian Bennett, Deonte Banks, and Tarheeb Still. Banks notably became the first Maryland player chosen in the first round since 2019.
Williams has historical ties to Jacksonville State’s new head coach Charles Kelly, as they both worked on Florida State’s coaching staff in 2013 and 2014. As Williams departs, potential candidates to fill the defensive coordinator position at Maryland include Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who served as the cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator last season.
With Williams’ departure, Maryland will look to maintain the defensive momentum he helped build while Jacksonville State gains a seasoned coordinator with a history of developing NFL talent. As both programs move forward, the coaching changes are sure to impact the direction of their defenses in the upcoming seasons.
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