Nick Williams Added to Orange Football Staff

Nick Williams, a rising defensive coaching star, with prior stops at Colorado, Texas A&M and Georgia has joined the Syracuse football staff to coach the edge.

"It was a dream of mine to work with Elijah Robinson, and Fran Brown was someone that people compared me to and I had heard nothing but great things about before I had the chance to meet him," Williams said. "I'm extremely passionate and joining those two who have the same passion as me was the reason for me coming here. I can't wait to work with them and learn from them. I would have followed them anywhere in the country if they gave me the opportunity."

Spending the last season coaching Colorado's defensive line unit, Williams was a member of Coach Prime's inaugural staff. He helped land a top-30 recruiting class within just two weeks after being hired prior to the first signing period. Williams spent the previous two seasons at Texas A&M, working as a defensive analyst. While with the Aggies, he helped Texas A&M land the nation's number one recruiting class in 2022.

"I think Nick is someone that is very elite when it comes to teaching pass rush," Brown said. "If you go back to his tape and watch him play, he's a tough football player. Everyone down in Georgia loves him and talks about him. I also think he's elite when it comes to recruiting, has great energy and is passionate about what he does."

In his first year working with the A&M defense, the unit finished the season ranked 14th nationally in total defense, a mark that ranks third in the SEC. Every defensive line starter off that 2021 Aggies' squad went on to sign NFL contracts, including DeMarvin Leal (Steelers) and Michael Clemons (Jets) being selected in the third and fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, respectively.

Prior to that, he was on staff at Georgia as a student assistant in 2017 and then as a graduate assistant in 2019-20, working with the Bulldogs' defense. In addition to helping Georgia reach a New Year's Six Bowl in each of his three seasons on staff, Georgia also landed the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in both 2018 and 2020, and No. 2 class in 2019, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

The Bulldogs went 31-7 in his tenure, including a 21-4 mark in the SEC and won back-to-back SEC East Championships.

Georgia led the nation in rushing defense in both of his seasons as a graduate assistant, allowing under 75 yards per game each year. The 2019 squad also led the nation in scoring defense (12.6 points per game) and was third nationally in total defense (275.5 yards per game). The 2020 squad ranked second in the SEC in both categories as well.

Williams worked with some of the Bulldogs' standout NFL talent on defense, including first round defensive line selections Travon Walker (No. 1 pick – 2022), Jalen Carter (No. 9 pick – 2023), Jordan Davis (No. 13 pick – 2022) and Devonte Wyatt (No. 28 pick – 2022) in their Georgia careers.

Williams played at Georgia from 2008-10, seeing action in 32 career games at both safety and linebacker. He transferred to North Alabama and after two redshirt seasons, had a solid senior campaign in 2013 with 62 tackles and two interceptions helping the team to a 10-3 record. He was selected to play in the NFLPA Game after the conclusion of his collegiate career.

He played two seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts where his tenure was cut short with a knee injury. He then played on season in the Arena League for the Tampa Bay Storm.

He attended Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge, Ga., graduating in 2008. He was a quarterback and linebacker and threw for 2,428 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career.

Williams is married to Warda Ali, a Rochester, N.Y. native, and the couple has two children – a five-year-old daughter, Nilah Rose, and a two-year-old son Noah.

Syracuse University Athletics

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