View source for Gregg Williams

{{Short description|American football coach (born 1958)}}
{{About|the American football coach||Greg Williams (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name           = Gregg Williams
| image          = Gregg Williams (cropped).jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = Williams at 2018 [[Cleveland Browns]] training camp
| current_team   =Tennessee State Tigers 
| position       = [[Defensive coordinator]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1958|7|15}}
| birth_place    = [[Excelsior Springs, Missouri]], U.S.
| death_date     = <!-- {{Death date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|1958|7|15|mf=y}} -->
| death_place    = 
| high_school    = Excelsior Springs (MO)
| college        = [[Truman Bulldogs football|Northeast Missouri State]]
| pastcoaching   = * Excelsior Springs High School (MO) (1980-1983)<br>Assistant coach
* [[Belton High School (Missouri)|Belton High School]] (1984–1987)<br>Head coach
* [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] (1988–1989)<br>Graduate assistant
* [[Houston Oilers]] ({{nfly|1990}}–{{nfly|1996}})<br>Defensive assistant, special teams & linebackers coach 
* [[Tennessee Titans|Tennessee Oilers/Titans]] ({{nfly|1997}}–{{nfly|2000}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{nfly|2001}}–{{nfly|2003}})<br>Head coach
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{nfly|2004}}–{{nfly|2007}})<br>Defensive coordinator & assistant head coach
* [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] ({{nfly|2008}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{nfly|2009}}–{{nfly|2011}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[St. Louis Rams]] ({{nfly|2012}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[Tennessee Titans]] ({{nfly|2013}})<br>Senior assistant defensive coach
* [[History of the St. Louis Rams|St. Louis]] / [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{nfly|2014}}–{{nfly|2016}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{nfly|2017}}–{{nfly|2018}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{nfly|2018}})<br>Interim head coach
* [[New York Jets]] ({{nfly|2019}}–{{nfly|2020}})<br>Defensive coordinator
* [[DC Defenders]] ({{XFL Year|2023}}–{{UFL Year|2025}})<br>Defensive coordinator & secondary coach
* [[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State]] (2025–present)<br>Defensive coordinator
| highlights     = * [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XLIV|XLIV]])
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|22|34|record=y}}
| playoff_record = <!-- {{Winning percentage|0|0|record=y}} -->
| overall_record = <!-- {{Winning percentage|22|34|record=y}} -->
| pfrcoach       = WillGr0 
}}

'''Gregg Williams''' (born July 15, 1958) is an American [[American football|football]] coach. He is the defensive coordinator for [[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State University]]. His most recent [[National Football League]] (NFL) experience was as the defensive coordinator for the [[New York Jets]], from [[2019 New York Jets season|2019]] to [[2020 New York Jets season|2020]]. Previously, he was head coach of the [[Buffalo Bills]] from [[2001 Buffalo Bills season|2001]] to [[2003 Buffalo Bills season|2003]], and [[defensive coordinator]] of the [[New Orleans Saints]] (with whom he won [[Super Bowl XLIV]]) from [[2009 New Orleans Saints season|2009]] to [[2011 New Orleans Saints season|2011]], and the [[Cleveland Browns]], acting as an interim head coach in the [[2018 Cleveland Browns season|2018 season]]. Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking [[4–3 defense|4–3 schemes]] that put heavy pressure on opposing [[quarterback]]s and for his key role in the [[New Orleans Saints bounty scandal]], also known as "Bountygate".<ref name="TriplettKider">{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Triplett|author2=Kider, Teddy|title=Gregg Williams hired as New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator|url=http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/01/gregg_williams_hired_as_new_or_1.html|work=[[The Times-Picayune]]|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=January 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522083810/http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/01/gregg_williams_hired_as_new_or_1.html|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="YasinskasESPN">{{cite news|first=Pat|last=Yasinskas|title=Saints' defense showing different look|url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-11-97/Saints--defense-showing-different-look.html|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 22, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524031146/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-11-97/Saints--defense-showing-different-look.html|archive-date=May 24, 2009}}</ref>

In March 2012, Williams was suspended indefinitely from the NFL as a result of his admitted involvement in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, under which bounties were paid for causing injuries that would take targeted players on opposing teams out of games.<ref name="NFL suspension">{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2012 |title=NFL bans Saints' Payton a year for 'bounties'; Williams out, too |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-bans-saints-payton-a-year-for-bounties-williams-out-too-09000d5d827c0dd9 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Williams' suspension was lifted a year later, and he returned to the NFL.

Williams was inducted into the [[Missouri Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=N/A |first1=N/A |title=Gregg Williams: From Excelsior Springs to 25 years coaching in the NFL|url=https://mosportshalloffame.com/4835-2|website=mosportshalloffame.com |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=N/A |first1=N/A |title=Gregg Williams|url= https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/gregg-williams/|website=mosportshalloffame.com| access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref> In 2004, Williams helped create a charity, the "Gregg Williams Foundation", that benefits the local schools and community in his hometown of [[Excelsior Springs, Missouri|Excelsior Springs]], [[Missouri]].  The charity has contributed over $2,000,000 since 2004 to benefit the Excelsior Springs community.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maks |first1=Patrick |title=Gregg Williams' Hometown of Excelsior Springs is never far from his mind|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/gregg-williams-hometown-of-excelsior-springs-is-never-far-from-his-mind-18745540|website=clevelandbrowns.com|access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>

==Football career==

===Early career===
After graduating from Excelsior Springs High School (MO) in 1976, Gregg Williams played quarterback at [[Northeast Missouri State University]] (now [[Truman State University]]) in [[Kirksville, Missouri]].  He started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at this alma mater, Excelsior Springs High School (MO).  After being passed over for the head coaching job at Excelsior Springs High School in 1983, he was hired as head coach for the Class 5 [[Belton High School (Belton, Missouri)|Belton High School]] Pirate football team in [[Belton, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cannizzaro |first1=Mark |title=Williams has come a long way|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/cannizzaro_mark/1155585.html|website=[[ESPN]]| access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref> After coaching at [[Belton High School (Belton, Missouri)|Belton High School]] for four seasons, Williams was hired in 1988 as an assistant coach at the [[Houston Cougars football|University of Houston]] under former [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] head coach, [[Jack Pardee]].

===Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans===
In 1990, Williams became the [[Special teams|Special Teams]] coach of the [[Houston Oilers]] under then defensive coordinator, [[Buddy Ryan]]. From 1994 to 1996, Williams was the [[linebacker|linebackers coach]] for the Oilers. From [[1997 NFL season|1997]]–[[2000 NFL season|2000]], Williams was promoted to defensive coordinator of the now [[Tennessee Titans]] after the Oilers moved out of [[Houston]]. As the defensive coordinator, the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. The defense also helped lead the Titans to [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] where they lost to the [[St. Louis Rams]].

===Buffalo Bills===
Williams joined the [[Buffalo Bills]] as head coach in [[2001 Buffalo Bills season|2001]] along with new team President and general manager [[Tom Donahoe]]. After three seasons in which the team compiled records of 3–13, 8–8, and 6–10 under his leadership, Williams' contract was not renewed after the [[2003 Buffalo Bills season|2003 season]].

===Washington Redskins===
After his release from Buffalo, Williams was at the top of several NFL teams' list for the position of defensive coordinator. Williams quickly signed with the [[Washington Redskins]], the only team with which he interviewed, because Head Coach [[Joe Gibbs]] offered him total autonomy over his defensive players and defensive coaching staff.

In Washington, with Williams' aggressive defensive scheme, the Redskins' defense ranked third in the NFL in [[2004 NFL season|2004]] and ninth in [[2005 NFL season|2005]].

On January 3, 2006, Williams signed a three-year extension to remain with the Redskins, which made him the highest paid assistant coach in the NFL.

His defense struggled in 2006, at one point ranked 30th in the League. However, the 2007 season was a vast improvement for Williams. The defense ranked within the top ten in the NFC, and the team finished 9–7, with a loss in the wildcard round to the [[Seattle Seahawks]]. Williams had established a particularly close relationship with 24-year-old free safety [[Sean Taylor]], calling him "the best player [he'd] ever coached." When Taylor was murdered mid-season on November 27, 2007, Williams was deeply affected. In tribute to Taylor, Williams called a defensive play with only ten men for the first play of the Redskins' first game after the tragedy, a December 2, 2007 game against the [[Buffalo Bills]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Redskins remember slain Taylor, use 10 men on first defensive snap|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3138182|publisher=ESPN|date=December 3, 2007|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> For the remainder of the season, Williams ran an inspired defense which performed, along with the rest of the team, to honor Taylor's memory, highlighted by holding star running back [[Adrian Peterson]] of the [[Minnesota Vikings]] to 27 yards on December 23, 2007,<ref>{{cite news|title=Washington vs. Minnesota Box Score|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=271223016|publisher=ESPN|date=December 23, 2007}}</ref> and allowing a franchise-low one yard rushing to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] on December 30, 2007, sealing a playoff seed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Skins cap resurgence with rout of Cowboys, playoff berth|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271230028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103003512/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271230028|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 3, 2008|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=December 30, 2007}}</ref> After [[Joe Gibbs]] retired, Williams was considered to be the most popular candidate to take over as [[head coach]] of the [[Washington Redskins]]. He interviewed four times with team owner [[Daniel Snyder]]. However, on January 26, 2008, Williams was fired, along with offensive coordinator [[Al Saunders]], with [[Jim Zorn]] ultimately getting the head coaching job.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-01-26 |title=Redskins fire assistant, coach candidate Williams |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3215817 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===Jacksonville Jaguars===
On February 6, 2008, Williams became the [[defensive coordinator]] of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], replacing [[Mike Smith (American football coach)|Mike Smith]], who had been hired to coach the [[Atlanta Falcons]].

===New Orleans Saints===
Williams was hired by the [[New Orleans Saints]] on January 15, 2009. Head coach [[Sean Payton]], who was heavily involved in the effort to recruit Williams to the team, raved about Williams "because he was so impressive and prepared" in his interview. In fact, Williams was so impressive that Payton offered and took a voluntary $250,000 cut in salary to help facilitate his signing with the team. He took over a Saints defense ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed and tied for 26th in points allowed in 2008. Williams' approach yielded immediate results, as the [[2009 New Orleans Saints season|2009 Saints]] recorded 35 [[turnover (football)|defensive takeaways]], second in the league, and the aggressive defense played an integral role in the Saints' run to their first [[Super Bowl XLIV|Super Bowl championship]].
[[File:Gregg Williams at Tulane Commencement 2010.jpg|thumb|Williams in 2010]]
However, in the [[2010 New Orleans Saints season|2010]] and [[2011 New Orleans Saints season|2011]] seasons, the defense (although showing statistical improvement in some other categories) failed to repeat its turnover successes.<ref>Bradley Handwerger, [http://www.wwltv.com/sports/black-and-gold/Saints-having-problems-taking-the-ball-away-131804998.html "Saints having problems taking the ball away"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063225/http://www.wwltv.com/sports/black-and-gold/Saints-having-problems-taking-the-ball-away-131804998.html |date=November 4, 2013 }}, [[WWL-TV]], October 13, 2011.</ref> The Saints were knocked out of the 2011 playoffs in a 36–32 loss to [[San Francisco 49ers|San Francisco]], in which the defense played well for most of the game but twice failed to hold a Saints lead during the last four minutes. At that time, the relationship between Williams and Payton deteriorated, with Payton regarding Williams as a "rogue coach". Williams' departure from the Saints was originally publicized not as a dismissal since his contract was expiring, however Loomis and Payton fired Williams telling him, "There's no place for this in this organization or this league", after the NFL informed the Saints that it had reopened its investigation in the illegal bounty fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7778005/gregg-williams-told-new-orleans-saints-hurt-san-francisco-49ers-speech|title=Gregg Williams wanted 49ers hurt|date=April 5, 2012}}</ref> It was widely reported that Williams would leave the Saints to become defensive coordinator of the [[St. Louis Rams]], under their new head coach [[Jeff Fisher]], for whom Williams had worked when Fisher was the head coach at [[Tennessee Titans|Tennessee]].<ref>Nakia Hogan, [http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2012/01/new_orleans_saints_gregg_willi_14.html "New Orleans Saints, Gregg Williams appear ready to part ways"], ''[[Times-Picayune]]'', January 15, 2012.</ref>

====Involvement in Saints bounty scandal====
{{Main|New Orleans Saints bounty scandal}}

On March 2, 2012, it was revealed that during Williams' tenure, the Saints ran [[New Orleans Saints bounty scandal|an illegal "bounty fund"]] which paid players for causing injuries to opponents that would result in those players leaving the game. The NFL found that Williams and as many as 27 Saints defensive players were involved in the scheme.<ref name=ESPNBounty>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7638603/new-orleans-saints-defense-had-bounty-program-nfl-says|title=NFL: Saints defense had 'bounty' fund|publisher=ESPN|date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> An unidentified Saints player first alerted the NFL to the scheme in the 2010 offseason, but the investigation stalled until the NFL found irrefutable evidence of a bounty system just before the 2011–12 playoffs.<ref name=NFLStatement>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2012/03/full_nfl_statement_into_bounty.html|title=Full NFL statement into 'bounty' program run by New Orleans Saints|author=National Football League|author-link=National Football League|date=March 2, 2012|access-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref>

A league investigation revealed that Williams began the bounty system soon after he arrived in New Orleans, after Payton charged him to make the Saints' defense "nasty." Players usually earned $1,000 for "cart-offs" and $1,500 for "knockouts" during the regular season (though payments were known to triple during the playoffs), though they were encouraged to put their winnings back into the pot in order to raise the stakes as the season went on. The investigation also found that Payton tried to cover up the scheme, and that linebackers coach [[Joe Vitt]], whom Payton had assigned to monitor Williams (the two reportedly did not get along), knew about the broad lines of the scheme and did nothing.<ref name=NFLStatement/><ref name=KingOutofBounds>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1195695/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308005606/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1195695/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2012|title=Way out of Bounds|last=King|first=Peter|author-link=Peter King (sportswriter)|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=March 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name=NFLPenalties>[https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-management-discipline-in-saints-bounty-matter-09000d5d827c15b2 NFL announces management discipline in Saints' 'bounty' matter]</ref>

Soon after the investigation came to light, several former players and coaches with the Bills and Redskins claimed that Williams operated similar systems while he was with them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/washington-redskins-offered-bounties-for-big-hits-under-former-assistant-coach-gregg-williams/2012/03/02/gIQAH0RlnR_story.html|title=Washington Redskins offered bounties for big hits under former assistant coach Gregg Williams|last=Maske|first=Mark|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article747663.ece|title=Bills had bounty system under Gregg Williams, players say|last=Graham|first=Tim|publisher=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=March 4, 2012}}</ref> Former NFL coach and current [[NBC Sports]] analyst [[Tony Dungy]] said that he was certain Williams operated a similar system with the Oilers/Titans as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/02/dungy-titans-had-a-bounty-on-peyton-manning|title=Dungy: Titans had a bounty on Peyton Manning|last=Florio|first=Mike|publisher=[[Profootballtalk.com]]/[[NBC Sports]]|date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> However, several players, coaches and team executives who were with Williams in Houston/Tennessee, Buffalo, and Washington have denied that Williams ever ran a bounty system.<ref>[http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/158807/37/Ruben-Brown-says-Bills-Didnt-Run-Bounty-System Ruben Brown says Bills didn't run bounty system] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120918070810/http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/158807/37/Ruben-Brown-says-Bills-Didnt-Run-Bounty-System |date=September 18, 2012 }}. ''[[WGRZ]]''. Retrieved March 4, 2012.</ref><ref>Pergament, Alan (March 7, 2012). [http://stilltalkintv.com/2012/03/the-voice-is-smashing-success-here/ The Voice is smashing success here] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511182128/http://stilltalkintv.com/2012/03/the-voice-is-smashing-success-here/ |date=May 11, 2012 }}. Retrieved March 7, 2012.</ref><ref>Gaughan, Mark (March 7, 2012). [http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/article750879.ece Donahoe disputes Bountygate]. ''The Buffalo News''. Retrieved March 7, 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/05/ryan-clark-says-hes-not-aware-of-any-bounties-anywhere/|title = Ryan Clark says he's not aware of any bounties, anywhere|date = March 5, 2012}}</ref>

Williams was summoned to NFL headquarters after the investigation concluded in mid-February. He initially denied any involvement, but recanted and admitted everything in a meeting with NFL Commissioner [[Roger Goodell]].<ref name=KingOutofBounds/> He issued a statement apologizing for his role, saying that he had known it was wrong from the start.<ref name=ESPNBounty/> On March 21, 2012, the NFL suspended Williams indefinitely for "conduct detrimental" to the league, effective that day. In a statement, the NFL said that its investigation had found that Williams not only administered the bounty program and occasionally contributed some of his own money to the bounty pool, but also lied to league investigators about his role. Consequently, the suspension would run until the end of the 2012 season at the earliest. When Williams applied for reinstatement, Goodell considered how much Williams cooperated with the NFL in its continuing investigation; Goodell also expected Williams to participate in league efforts to eliminate bounty systems altogether.<ref name=NFLPenalties/> The NFL continued to investigate allegations that Williams ran a bounty program in Washington.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/nfl-to-investigate-redskins-over-bounty-allegations/2012/03/03/gIQAwS9XpR_story.html|title=NFL to investigate Redskins over bounty allegations under Gregg Williams|last=Maske|first=Mark|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>

Williams apologized again after he learned of his punishment, and said he hoped to return to coaching in the future.<ref name=ESPNPenaltyAnnouncement>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7718136/sean-payton-new-orleans-saints-banned-one-year-bounties|title=NFL hammers Saints for bounties|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=March 21, 2012}}</ref> However, Fisher said that neither he nor the Rams knew about the bounty program, and he would have not have hired Williams had he known that Williams might be facing a year's suspension.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Korte|title=Rams' Fisher: He and team 'had no idea' Williams was in trouble with NFL for bounty program|date=March 21, 2012|url=http://www.bnd.com/2012/03/21/2109700/fisher-says-rams-wont-name-new.html|work=[[Belleville News-Democrat]]|access-date=March 23, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On April 5, documentary filmmaker [[Sean Pamphilon]] released audio of a meeting Williams held with his defense before their 2012 divisional playoff game against the [[San Francisco 49ers]]. In a profanity-laced speech, Williams instructed his defense to target several 49ers players. He ordered his men to try to knock out running back [[Kendall Hunter]], even if it meant hitting him out of bounds. He specifically directed them to try to tear wide receiver [[Michael Crabtree]]'s [[anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]], and to go after wide receiver [[Kyle Williams (wide receiver, born 1988)|Kyle Williams]] specifically because he had a history of concussions. Pamphilon, who was doing a documentary on the media's effect on football from [[Pop Warner Little Scholars|Pee-Wee]] all the way to the NFL, released the audio to [[Yahoo! Sports]] because he was sickened by what he heard.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Anw9sHdXItbteN7R4ozB1Qg5nYcB?slug=ms-silver_gregg_williams_speech_saints_49ers_bounty_040412|title=Source: Gregg Williams instructed Saints during speech to injure Niners offensive players|last=Silver|first=Michael|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=April 5, 2012}}</ref>

On December 12, the [[Associated Press]] reported that, according to a transcript of the bounty appeal hearing, Williams had testified that he had wanted to shut down the system after the league began investigating, but was overruled by Saints linebackers coach Joe Vitt.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/gregg-williams-joe-vitt-stopped-me-from-ending-bounty-system-0ap1000000110382|title=Gregg Williams: Joe Vitt stopped me from ending bounty system|publisher=National Football League|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> Vitt, however, denied the claims.<ref>{{cite web|last=Copeland|first=Kareem|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/joe-vitt-denies-gregg-williams-bounty-program-claims-0ap1000000110823|title=Joe Vitt denies Gregg Williams' bounty program claims|publisher=National Football League|date=December 13, 2012|access-date=December 13, 2012}}</ref>

===St. Louis Rams===
On February 3, 2012, Williams was formally introduced as the Rams' new defensive coordinator.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/58626/rams-fisher-counters-perceptions-on-d|title=Rams' Fisher counters perceptions on 'D'|last=Sando|first=Mike|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> A little over a month later, on March 21, Williams was suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints bounty scandal,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/nfl-bounty-penalties-sean-payton-gregg-williams-mickey-loomis-suspended/2012/03/21/gIQAJHd0RS_blog.html|title=NFL bounty penalties: Sean Payton, Gregg Williams, Mickey Loomis suspended|last=Maske|first=Mark|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=March 21, 2012}}</ref> and was fired on January 2, 2013, without ever working a day for the Rams.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/21487280/report-rams-part-ways-with-gregg-williams-son-blake-williams|title=Report: Rams part ways with Gregg Williams, son Blake Williams|last=Wilson|first=Ryan|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=January 2, 2013}}</ref>

===Tennessee Titans===
On February 7, 2013, Williams was reinstated by the NFL and officially hired by the [[Tennessee Titans]] as a senior assistant defensive coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gregg Williams, Reinstated By The NFL, Joins Titans' Coaching Staff|date=February 7, 2013|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/02/07/gregg-williams-reinstated-by-the-nfl-joins-titans-coaching-staff/|publisher=CBS News New York|access-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref> In the official statement released by the league, commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] cited Williams' acceptance of responsibility for his role in the bounty program and pledge to never be involved in another such "pay for performance" system as the main reasons for Williams' reinstatement after just one year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8925817/nfl-reinstates-gregg-williams-tennessee-titans-hire-him|title=NFL reinstates Gregg Williams|agency=Associated Press|date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>

===Return to St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams===
Williams was hired as defensive coordinator for the Rams on February 12, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rams Name Gregg Williams Defensive Coordinator|url=http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Name-Gregg-Williams-Defensive-Coordinator/2758a452-4c75-4928-a3ef-9ab68889f34e|publisher=StLouisRams.com|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224132/http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Name-Gregg-Williams-Defensive-Coordinator/2758a452-4c75-4928-a3ef-9ab68889f34e|archive-date=May 8, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

He would return to New Orleans to face against his former team on November 27, 2016. The Saints would shred Williams' defense, which gave up 555 yards, in a 49–21 win over the Rams. Some would see the Saints running up the score as a measure of revenge against Williams for his role in Bountygate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/gregg-williams-returns-to-new-orleans-and-saints-run-up-the-score-on-him-and-rams-010938956.html|title=Gregg Williams returns to New Orleans and Saints run up the score on him and Rams|last=Schwab|first=Frank|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=November 27, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ruiz |first=Steven |date=November 27, 2016 |title=The Saints run it up on Gregg Williams' Rams |newspaper=USA TODAY |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2016/11/27/how-the-saints-trolled-the-rams-and-shamed-the-browns-with-one-trick-play/94520236/ |access-date=January 29, 2025}}</ref>

On December 12, 2016, the Los Angeles Rams fired head coach [[Jeff Fisher]]. His coaching staff, along with Williams, was fired at the end of the season.

===Cleveland Browns===
Williams was hired as the defensive coordinator of the [[Cleveland Browns]] on January 7, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/01/ray_horton_fired_and_gregg_wil.html|work=Cleveland.com|title=Browns' Ray Horton fired and Gregg Williams hired as new defensive coordinator|first=Mary |last=Cabot|date=January 7, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2017}}</ref>

On October 29, 2018, following head coach [[Hue Jackson]]'s dismissal, Williams was named the Browns interim head coach, while [[Freddie Kitchens]] was named interim offensive coordinator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Browns fire head coach Hue Jackson, offensive coordinator Todd Haley |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25118191/browns-fire-coach-hue-jackson-two-plus-seasons |website=ESPN.com|date=October 29, 2018 }}</ref> Williams guided the Browns to a 5–3 record, including a credible showing against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], and was responsible for the emergence of [[Baker Mayfield]] as the team's quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/26279/kinder-gentler-gregg-williams-is-running-browns|title=Kinder, gentler Gregg Williams is running the Browns|date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> There was growing support for Williams to take over as head coach on a permanent basis, although his previous history as Bills head coach and the Bountygate scandal may have hurt his cause.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/12/should_gregg_williams_be_the_c.html|title = Should Gregg Williams be the Browns' head coach?|date = December 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/mike-jones/2018/12/24/cleveland-browns-gregg-williams-coach-candidates/2407139002/|title = Opinion: Gregg Williams built case for Browns job, but he's likely not right long-term fit| website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref>

Following the appointment of offensive coordinator [[Freddie Kitchens]] as permanent head coach, Williams and several defensive coaching assistants were let go by the Browns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01/gregg-williams-let-go-by-the-browns-other-departures-coming-as-early-as-today.html |title=Gregg Williams let go by the Browns; Ken Zampese, Amos Jones, Bob Wylie and many others also shown the door today |last=Cabot |first=Mary Kay |date=January 9, 2019 |website=cleveland.com |language=en-US}}</ref> With a 0.625 winning percentage in eight games as coach, he was the first head coach since [[Marty Schottenheimer]] in 1988 to leave Cleveland with a winning record as coach.

===New York Jets===
On January 16, 2019, Williams was hired as the defensive coordinator for the [[New York Jets]] under new head coach [[Adam Gase]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lange |first1=Randy |title=Jets Name Gregg Williams Their Defensive Coordinator |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-name-gregg-williams-their-defensive-coordinator |website=www.newyorkjets.com}}</ref> While the Jets offense struggled, Williams led the Jets to seventh in the NFL in overall defense including second against the run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/12/28/controversial-gregg-williams-is-the-jets-godsend/|title=Controversial Gregg Williams ended up as Jets' godsend|date=December 28, 2019}}</ref>

On December 7, 2020, Williams was fired from the Jets following a 31–28 loss to the [[Las Vegas Raiders]]. The firing came after Williams called a controversial zero [[Blitz (gridiron football)|blitz]] on a [[Hail Mary pass|Hail Mary]] play in an attempt to sack [[Derek Carr]]. However, Carr found [[Henry Ruggs]] open, beating corner [[Lamar Jackson (cornerback)|Lamar Jackson]] for a game-winning touchdown with five seconds left, thus dropping the Jets to 0–12.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jets fire DC Gregg Williams in aftermath of last-second loss to Raiders |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-fire-dc-gregg-williams-in-aftermath-of-last-second-loss-to-raiders |website=NFL.com |access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=7 December 2020 |title=New York Jets fire defensive coordinator Gregg Williams after controversial blitz call |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30469684/source-new-york-jets-fire-defensive-coordinator-gregg-williams-controversial-blitz-call |access-date=8 December 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== DC Defenders ===
On June 9, 2022, Williams was announced as the defensive coordinator for the [[DC Defenders]] under head coach [[Reggie Barlow]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Gregg Williams heads XFL's first batch of assistant coach hires |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/34063138/long-nfl-defensive-coordinator-gregg-williams-heads-xfl-first-batch-assistant-coach-hires |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621015706/https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/34063138/long-nfl-defensive-coordinator-gregg-williams-heads-xfl-first-batch-assistant-coach-hires |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Williams would stay with the Defenders for three seasons.

On April 9, 2025, Williams stepped down from his position as defensive coordinator with the Defenders in preparation to join Barlow at [[Tennessee State University]]. He named his son Blake Williams as the Defenders' defensive coordinator for the rest of the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Brigid |date=2025-03-26 |title=Infamous Former NFL DC Gregg Williams to Take College Coordinator Job |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/gregg-williams-tennessee-state-coach |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=James |title=DC Defenders Lose Gregg Williams, Promote Blake Williams |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/dc-defenders-lose-gregg-williams-promote-blake-williams/ |website=PFnewsroom.com |access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Williams has been married twice. He has three children, two sons and a daughter, from his first marriage. His son Blake Williams succeeded him as the DC Defenders' defensive coordinator.<ref name=":0" />

==Head coaching record==

===NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won !!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Result
|-
![[2001 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[2001 NFL season|2001]]
||3||13||0||{{winpct|3|13|0}}||5th in AFC East|| – || – || – || –
|-
![[2002 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[2002 NFL season|2002]]
||8||8||0||{{winpct|8|8|0}}||4th in AFC East|| – || – || – || –
|-
![[2003 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]||[[2003 NFL season|2003]]
||6||10||0||{{winpct|6|10|0}}||3rd in AFC East|| – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"| BUF Total || 17 || 31 || 0 || {{winpct|17|31|0}} |||| – || – || – || –
|-
![[2018 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]*||[[2018 NFL season|2018]]
||5||3||0||{{winpct|5|3|0}}||3rd in AFC North|| – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"| CLE Total || 5 || 3 || 0 || {{winpct|5|3|0}} |||| – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"| Total || 22 || 34 || 0 || {{winpct|22|34|0}} |||| – || – || – || –
|}
<small>* – Interim head coach</small>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://tsutigers.com/staff-directory/gregg-williams/506 Tennessee State Tigers coaching profile]

{{Portal|Biography}}

{{Buffalo Bills coach navbox}}
{{Cleveland Browns coach navbox}}
{{Super Bowl XLIV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Gregg}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills head coaches]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns coaches]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Missouri]]
[[Category:Houston Cougars football coaches]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers coaches]]
[[Category:Jacksonville Jaguars coaches]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams coaches]]
[[Category:NFL defensive coordinators]]
[[Category:New Orleans Saints coaches]]
[[Category:New York Jets coaches]]
[[Category:People from Excelsior Springs, Missouri]]
[[Category:St. Louis Rams coaches]]
[[Category:Tennessee Oilers coaches]]
[[Category:Tennessee Titans coaches]]
[[Category:Truman State University alumni]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins coaches]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns head coaches]]