Doug Williams has had an iconic soccer profession as a participant, coach, and government. Now, his son DJ Williams is embarking on his personal teaching journey with the Atlanta Falcons. In February, Williams was promoted to quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
Doug and DJ’s careers intersect in an incredible manner, exhibiting how sports activities can slowly however absolutely develop into a household legacy. His soccer journey started at Grambling State College, the place he performed below the legendary Eddie G. Robinson from 1974 to 1977. Throughout his tenure, he led the Tigers to a few SWAC Championships and a formidable 36-7 file. His distinctive efficiency on the sphere garnered vital Heisman Trophy buzz, culminating in a fourth-place end in 1977.
In 1978, Doug Williams was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because the seventeenth total choose within the NFL Draft. His journey in skilled soccer took a big flip when he joined the Washington Redskins, the place he not solely showcased his abilities but additionally solidified his place in historical past. Quick ahead to 1988, Williams made historical past by changing into the primary Black quarterback to safe a Tremendous Bowl MVP title.
Williams’ affect on soccer stretches nicely previous his taking part in profession. After retiring, he made a big impression by returning to Grambling State to tackle the function of teaching the Tigers. In a memorable season in 2000, he steered the staff to a SWAC title, attaining a formidable 10-2 file. The following 12 months marked one other milestone as he guided the Tigers to a exceptional Black School Soccer Nationwide Title, culminating in a stellar 10-1 season. Constructing on this success, Williams continued to shine by securing consecutive SWAC championships in 2002, capping off the season with an impressive 11-2 file.
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DJ is set to hold the Williams household legacy to new heights. Following in his father’s footsteps, he graduated from Grambling State in 2015 and performed quarterback for the Tigers from 2011 to 2014. Throughout his school profession, he began video games in all 4 seasons and earned tryouts with a number of NFL groups after commencement.
In 2019, he joined the New Orleans Saints and rapidly made an impression. In 2023, Williams performed a key function in serving to Saints quarterback Derek Carr obtain a formidable season, finishing 375 of 548 passes (68.4%) for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, incomes a 97.7 passer score in his first 12 months with the staff. Carr completed the season ranked within the high 10 amongst quarterbacks for completions, passing touchdowns, and passer score.
He joined the Falcons in 2024 and served as an offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach and labored carefully with each Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix. Now, together with his official appointment as quarterback coach, he set to proceed to be instrumental to the expansion and improvement of Penix because the Falcons’s franchise quarterback of the longer term.