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Press ReleaseSALT LAKE CITY—J.D. Williams, a seven-year Pacific-10 assistant, has accepted a job coaching the cornerbacks at the University of Utah, head coach Kyle Whittingham announced Tuesday.
With Williams' hiring comes a shift of responsibilities on the Ute staff. Aaron Alford, responsible for the cornerbacks for the past two seasons, will now coach the running backs.
Dave Schramm, appointed Utah's new offensive coordinator on January 17, takes over the quarterbacks. In his first four seasons at Utah, Schramm doubled as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.
Morgan Scalley replaces Schramm as the recruiting coordinator, while continuing to coach the safeties.
"We're pleased to announce the addition of J.D. Williams to our coaching staff. We took our time with this hire, and after a national search, we feel that we came away with the right fit for our program," said Whittingham about the addition of Williams. "J.D. will coach our cornerbacks and he brings with him a strong coaching resume and NFL background."
Williams, 42, spent the past three seasons as the defensive backs coach at the University of Washington. He went to Washington after four seasons coaching the secondary at California.
The Bears amassed a 33-17 record and played in three bowl games during Williams' stay from 2002-05.
Cal led the Pac-10 in pass efficiency defense (24th in the nation) and finished second in the league in total defense in 2005. In 2004, Cal ranked second in the Pac-10 in scoring defense and third in total defense.
Prior to going to Berkeley, Williams served two seasons as secondary coach at his alma mater, Fresno State (2000-2001). In those two seasons, Fresno State posted an 18-7 record and made two bowl appearances. In 1998, he coached at Cal Poly, and in 1999, at San Jose State, mentoring the secondary in both cases. He began his coaching career in 1997 as a Fresno State graduate assistant.
Williams was an NFL first-round draft choice out of Fresno State in 1990, going to the Buffalo Bills with the 16th pick. He played in four Super Bowls with the Bills and also played for the Cardinals and 49ers. His last NFL season was in 1996.
At Fresno State, he was a two-time all-Big West first-team selection and a second-team All-America cornerback as a senior.
During his time at FSU, the Bulldogs appeared in two bowl games, beating Western Michigan in the 1988 California Bowl and Ball State in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl.
The defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game following his senior year, he was also a standout triple jumper and sprinter on the track team. He placed 15th at the NCAA championships in the triple jump and was a member of the conference championship 400-meter relay team that set a school record of 40.18.
Williams earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Fresno State in 1990. In 2002, he was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame.
Born in Osceola, Ark., Williams grew up in Coalinga, Calif. He and his wife Jamie, have three daughters, Nicole, Kyra and Zoe.
Utah's coaching staff is now complete. Assistants and their responsibilities follow:
- Kalani Sitake - Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
- John Pease - Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Line
- Morgan Scalley - Safeties, Recruiting Coordinator
- J.D. Williams - Cornerbacks
- Dave Schramm - Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks
- Aaron Alford - Running Backs
- Jay Hill - Tight Ends, Special Teams Coordinator
- Aaron Roderick - Receivers
- Blake Miller - Offensive Line
