Temple University Athletics
PAUL WILLIAMS NAMED DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH
3.21.06 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Paul Williams, who spent the 2005 season as safeties coach at Western Michigan, has been named defensive backs coach at Temple University by head football coach Al Golden. A native of Newark, Del., Williams arrives in Owl Country with 10 seasons of collegiate coaching experience.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Paul Williams back to the east coast and Delaware Valley," said Golden. "Paul's name has been surfacing in the coaching profession as one of the best young secondary coaches in all of college football. After spending the past week with our staff, it has been easy for us to see why he has garnered such praise. Coach Williams fits our model perfectly. He is bright, energetic and believes in our credo 'service to players above all else.' He understands fully the results that can be achieved from an intense and continuing interest in the all-around development of each player. Paul will recruit Philadelphia, Delaware, DC Metro and the Tidewater-Virginia Beach Region in Virginia for the Cherry & White. I hope the Owl Nation will take a moment to welcome Coach Williams to the Temple Family."
In 2005, the defensive backfield at Western Michigan was comprised of four freshmen, a sophomore and one junior. Despite the inexperience, the Broncos ranked among the Mid-American Conference's best with 15 interceptions and 24 broken-up passes. Safety Louis Delmas was named a Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com, as the team posted a 7-4 record, marking one of the biggest turnarounds in college football. The Broncos had a 1-10 record in 2004.
Prior to his arrival in Kalamazoo, Williams spent the previous six seasons at his alma mater, the University of Delaware, coaching the secondary (2001-04), wide receivers (1999-00) and special teams. In 2003, he helped the Blue Hens to a 15-1 record and an NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. Numerous players under Williams' direction not only earned Atlantic 10, but national honors as Delaware captured league titles three times in his tenure. Sidney Haugabrook was four-time all-conference honoree and was named a First Team AFCA and Walter Camp All-American as a senior in 2004. Defensive backs Mike Adams and Ricardo Walker; placekickers Brad Shushman and Scott Collins; return specialists Brett Veach and Eddie Conti; as well as punters Ryan Bleiler and Chris Steiner were all named to all-league teams under Williams. Adams is the starting free safety for San Francisco and made 74 tackles and four interceptions for the 49ers in 2005.
Williams began his coaching career as an assistant defensive line coach at Lafayette College in 1996. He then coached two seasons (1997-98) at the University of Pennsylvania, assisting the secondary and special teams.
Williams was born on February 19, 1971. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education studies from Delaware in 1996, lettering four years and playing on two Yankee Conference championship teams. Williams recorded 189 tackles, 27 pass breakups and 10 interceptions for the Blue Hens. He set an NCAA 1-AA playoff record with a 100-yard interception return against Hofstra in 1995. A multi-sport athlete, he also set the school record in the indoor 200 meters and won the 200 meters at the 1993 America East outdoor championships.
