Williams Named New Aggie Defensive Line Coach - TEXAS A&M OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

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Williams Named New Aggie Defensive Line Coach

Feb. 2, 2010

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M Head Football Coach Mike Sherman announced today that Terrell (pronounced ta-RELL) Williams will be the new defensive line coach for the Aggie football team, pending the approval of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

"Terrell is a bright, energetic coach with a track record of developing defensive linemen," Coach Sherman said. "In addition to being a terrific recruiter, Terrell is an excellent teacher and has great passion for the game of football. He has experience in multiple defensive fronts and will be a great addition to our coaching staff. He comes highly recommended from people, both in college and the NFL, who I trust and respect. We need our defensive line to play at a high level and I am confident that Terrell can get them there."

Williams served the past four years as the defensive line coach at Purdue. During his time with the Boilermakers, Williams coached the entire line each year with the exception of 2008 when he focused solely on the defensive end position. A native of Los Angeles, Williams is known for being an outstanding recruiter and teacher of the game. He served as Purdue's liaison to the NFL. In 2007, Williams worked with the Seattle Seahawks' defensive line during training camp. During the summer of 1999, Williams interned with the Jacksonville Jaguars, assisting with the defensive line.

"Purdue has been a great place for me and my family, but this opportunity to work on Coach Sherman's staff and to come to a place like Texas A&M is too good for me to pass up," Williams said. "The traditions and the history at a place like Texas A&M is tremendous. In football, you have to bring an attitude and a toughness to the field. I know Texas A&M defenses have had that in the past, and that is what we want to bring to Kyle Field."

Williams was one of 26 coaches invited to participate in the 2008 NCAA Football Coaches Academy, designed to reinforce key aspects of securing, managing and excelling in a head football coaching position within intercollegiate athletics.

During his time at Purdue, Williams tutored the likes of Dallas Cowboy defensive lineman Anthony Spencer. Spencer led the NCAA in tackles for loss and was a first-team All-American before becoming a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2007. Defensive end Cliff Avril was a third-round selection of the Detroit Lions in 2008 with Alex Magee being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

Prior to his tenure at Purdue, Williams coached the defensive line at Akron in 2004 and 2005. The Zips won the Mid-American Conference championship game in 2005 and played in the Motor City Bowl. Both the league championship and post-season bowl appearance were firsts in the school's history. Williams' nose guard, Kiki Gonzalez, earned MAC All-Conference honors in 2005.

Williams spent two years (2002-03) as the defensive line coach at Youngstown State and helped Guy Mazzard earn All-Gateway Conference honors.

From 1999-2001, Williams served on the Aggie coaching staff at North Carolina A&T working with the defensive line. The Aggies ranked third in total defense among NCAA Division I-AA schools in 1999 allowing 259.4 yards per game and fifth in 2000 with 261.2 yards per game. North Carolina A&T finished 10th in the country in rushing defense in 2001 allowing only 96.7 yards per game. The Aggies were the Black Colleges national champion in 1999 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division I-AA playoffs while finishing 10th in the final poll.

Williams got his start in coaching working with the defensive line at Fort Scott Community College during the 1998 season.

Williams was born June 19, 1974, in Los Angeles and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in history from East Carolina in 1998. He was an all-star nose guard for the Pirates and a member of the 1995 team which defeated Stanford in the Liberty Bowl and finished the year ranked #23 in the final USA Today/ESPN poll. The 1996 Pirate club defeated the University of Miami in the Orange Bowl on its way to an 8-3 record under head coach Steve Logan. Williams transferred to East Carolina from West Los Angeles College where he earned all-conference honors as a defensive lineman.

Williams and his wife, the former Tifini Preliou, have a son, Tyson.

WILLIAMS FILE

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