Tag: Greg Williams

Rams hire Greg Williams as ILBs coach, Rob Calabrese as offensive assistant

The Rams have hired Greg Williams to coach their inside linebackers and Rob Calabrese as an offensive assistant

Sean McVay has been busy filling out his coaching staff all offseason after losing several assistants to other teams and on Tuesday, the team announced two more hires. The Rams have brought in Greg Williams to coach their inside linebackers and Rob Calabrese as an offensive assistant.

The Rams interviewed Williams a couple of weeks ago but his hiring wasn’t official until now. He joins the Rams after being the Packers’ pass game coordinator in 2023 and the Cardinals’ cornerbacks coach from 2019-2022.

Calabrese spent the last three years as the Jets’ quarterbacks coach, working on Robert Saleh’s staff in New York. He most recently worked with Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson during the 2023 season, though Rodgers’ campaign ended after only a few snaps due to a torn Achilles.

In total, the Rams have seven new members on McVay’s coaching staff, as well as two coaches who have been promoted to different roles for 2024.

Rams interviewed former Packers assistant Greg Williams for ILBs coach

The Rams are looking for a new inside linebackers coach after promoting Chris Shula and they interviewed Greg Williams for the job

The Los Angeles Rams promoted Chris Shula from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator this offseason after losing Raheem Morris to the Atlanta Falcons, so they’ve begun searching for someone to fill Shula’s old position. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Rams interviewed Packers pass game coordinator Greg Williams for their inside linebackers coaching job.

Williams joined the Packers last year but according to PackersNews.com, he won’t return to Green Bay as the team undergoes several coaching changes and a likely switch to a 4-3 scheme. Prior to coaching in Green Bay, Williams was the Cardinals’ cornerbacks coach from 2019-2022 and he coached the DBs for the Colts and Broncos before that.

His experience coaching multiple positions could make him an asset for the Rams, similar to the way Shula was.

Packers to replace Jerry Gray with Greg Williams as defensive passing game coordinator

Former Cardinals CB coach Greg Williams is taking over Jerry Gray’s job as the Packers’ defensive passing game coordinator.

Former Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks coach Greg Williams will join the Green Bay Packers as the replacement for Jerry Gray as the defense’s passing game coordinator, according to Josina Anderson of USA Today Sports.

Gray, who coached defensive backs and was the passing game coordinator, left Green Bay for an assistant coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons.

Along with coordinating the passing game defense, Williams will also coach cornerbacks for the Packers.

Before joining Matt LaFleur’s staff in Green Bay, Williams was the defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts (2016-17) and Denver Broncos (2018) and the cornerbacks coach for the Cardinals (2019-22). Over the last five seasons (2018-22), Williams worked directly under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Last season, the Cardinals finished tied for 16th in yards per passing attempt, 21st in interceptions, 32nd in completion percentage, tied for 28th in touchdown passes allowed and 31st in passer rating against.

Williams will be inheriting an experienced and talented group of cornerbacks headlined by All-Pro Jaire Alexander, veteran Rasul Douglas and 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes. As passing game coordinator, Williams must do a better job of keeping the entire secondary on the same page each and every down in 2023.

LaFleur retained much of his staff on both offense and defense, leaving Williams as the only major addition entering 2023.

Aaron Wilson first reported Williams joining the Packers on Wednesday but didn’t provide a specific job title.

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Cardinals CB coach Greg Williams to join Packers

Williams is the third defensive assistant to leave for another job.

The Arizona Cardinals appear to be losing another one of their defensive assistants. The latest is cornerbacks coach Greg Williams.

Williams had worked with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph since 2018. In 2018 he was the Denver Broncos’ defensive backs coach when Joseph was head coach. After Joseph became Arizona’s defensive coordinator, Williams joined him with the Cardinals as cornerbacks coach.

According to Aaron Wilson, Williams is joining the coaching staff of the Green Bay Packers.

Williams is the third defensive assistant to leave. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen took a a job with the University of Illinois and defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson is joining the New Orleans Saints.

Their contracts with the Cardinals either had expired or they were let go.

But with these assistants leaving, it suggests that, even though Joseph has not been let out of his contract, if he is retained on the staff in some way with a new head coach, there will be a much different defensive staff.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Packers expected to hire Cardinals CB coach Greg Williams

The Packers appear to have found a replacement for Jerry Gray. Per Aaron Wilson, the Packers will hire Cardinals CB coach Greg Williams.

The Green Bay Packers appear to have found a replacement for assistant coach Jerry Gray. According to Aaron Wilson, the Packers will hire Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks coach Greg Williams to Matt LaFleur’s staff.

Gray, who left for Atlanta, was the Packers defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. It’s unclear what position Williams will take over in Green Bay, but it’s safe to assume his job will involve coaching defensive backs.

Williams, 46, spent the last four seasons as the Cardinals cornerbacks coach under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. The two arrived in Arizona together after Williams spent the 2018 season as Joseph’s defensive backs coach in Denver.

As a player, Williams starred at North Carolina before spending time in the NFL, NFL Europe, the XFL and Arena Football League.

Williams was also the Chargers assistant secondary coach from 2013 to 2015 and the secondary coach of the Indianapolis Colts under Chuck Pagano from 2016 to 2017.

It’s possible Williams will only coach cornerbacks in Green Bay. The Packers have Ryan Downard on staff to coach the safeties.

Expect an official announcement on a finalized coaching staff from the Packers soon.

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Hall wants to expand defensive end rotation for now, later

Clemson relied heavily on a four-man rotation at defensive end last season. Given the talent level there, the Tigers could lean toward doing more of the same next season. But Lemanski Hall would like to have even more quality depth at the position …

Clemson relied heavily on a four-man rotation at defensive end last season. Given the talent level there, the Tigers could lean toward doing more of the same next season.

But Lemanski Hall would like to have even more quality depth at the position come the fall. His reasoning has as much to do with the future as it does the present.

Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry and Justin Mascoll make up arguably the ACC’s best collection of seasoned talent at the position, and the group was utilized like it a season ago. The foursome combined to log 1,566 snaps, or 85.7% of those played by Clemson’s ends. Murphy, perhaps the most talented of the group, led the Tigers in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (14). Thomas had 5.5 tackles for loss with a whopping 17 quarterback hurries while Henry added 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

But all of them could be off to the NFL next year. Thomas, Henry and Mascoll are seniors who chose to use their COVID years to extend their stay at Clemson while Murphy, a rising junior, is running neck and neck with fellow defensive lineman Bryan Bresee as the team’s top prospect for the 2023 draft.

Hall, who’s starting his fifth year coaching the position at Clemson, isn’t counting on any of them still being on the Tigers’ roster this time a year from now, so he said he’d like to start preparing for the mass attrition sooner rather than later by adding two more ends to the rotation.

“I want to make it six. I do,” Hall said. “For my position, I’m losing four guys next year. And in order for that to work, I’ve got to get the young guys some reps. That’s my mentality going in.”

Hall said he’s not going to play more guys just to play them, though, adding other players are going to have to earn the right to force him to go three-deep at each end spot. But two converted linebackers are giving him something to think about.

If Clemson played a game this week, Hall said he’d also be comfortable putting rising juniors Kevin Swint and Greg Williams on the field. Swint played in 10 games as a reserve end last season while Williams appeared in just four, but Hall has purposefully held his top four ends out of practice at times this spring to simply get a closer look at how Swint, Williams and some of the Tigers’ younger linemen handle more significant reps.

Swint and Williams have run with the first-team defense when that’s happened, and Hall said both have done “a great job” with those reps. Hall said the duo has also done more to earn his trust through 13 spring practices.

“I’ve got to be able to trust that you’re going to do what you’re supposed to do,” Hall said. “Are you going to play the technique that’s called? Are you going to play the defense that we call? I feel like I can trust Greg and Kevin.”

Hall said Swint, who is cross-training at both ends spots, is up to nearly 245 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame, which has helped as he adapts to the physicality of his new position. As for Williams, who also drew praise from head coach Dabo Swinney earlier this spring, Hall said the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder has “embraced being a defensive end.”

“Now it’s about, hey, let’s put it all together,” Hall said of Williams. “Let’s work on your get-off. Let’s work on your steps. Let’s work on hand placement. Let’s get in the playbook. And he’s another guy that’s done a really good job.”

Hall said all of the ends will get a chance to play in Saturday’s spring game, though the bulk of the reps are likely to go to the younger players. He’d like nothing more than the group to continue giving him reasons to expand the rotation heading into next season.

“I’m not going to put a guy in there that can’t get it done because then I’m jeopardizing the team, and I don’t ever want to do that,” Hall said. “But I would love to go in with six guys and just see what happens.”

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Swinney high on defensive lineman ‘nobody even knows’

The depth and talent Clemson has along the defensive line has been well-documented heading into the 2022 season. But while well-established names like Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry may be the headliners, there’s a …

The depth and talent Clemson has along the defensive line has been well-documented heading into the 2022 season.

But while well-established names like Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry may be the headliners, there’s a lesser-known defensive lineman at Clemson that head coach Dabo Swinney is also high on.

“Nobody even knows who the heck Greg Williams is, but you just hang on and watch with this guy,” Swinney said. “This cat right here, he’s going to be a good player.”

A rising redshirt junior, Williams has largely spent his first three seasons with the program as a reserve defensive end since signing with the Tigers in 2019 as an in-state recruit out of Swansea High. He’s recorded 14 tackles and a sack over 137 snaps in 14 career games.

Carving out a more significant role may be just as difficult a task for Williams this season with the likes of Murphy, Thomas, Henry, Justin Mascoll and Kevin Swint still around at the position. Redshirt freshmen Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson are also trying to crack the rotation on the edge.

But Thomas and Henry will exhaust their eligibility after next season while Murphy, one of the top NFL Draft prospects on the Tigers’ roster, could also leave after three years in the program. The 2023 season is when Williams could see his most significant reps, but Swinney said Williams, now a 6-foot-4, 260-pound end after playing linebacker in high school, is an example of a player that’s taken advantage of his time in the program to put himself in position for an increased role when the time comes.

In the transfer portal era, Swinney said finding players like Williams who are willing to patiently bide their time is becoming more rare.

“He’s just got a lot of guys in front of him right now, but he’s very self-aware,” Swinney said. “And he’s been developing.”

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Taking inventory: Defensive end

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead. With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand …

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead.

With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand with each as the offseason quickly approaches. Quarterback, running back, tight end, receiver, center, guard and offensive tackle have already been assessed.

Now we’ll take a look at the defensive side of the ball starting with the defensive ends.

A quick note first: This is where things currently stand with Clemson’s personnel at defensive end. With the one-time transfer rule and recruiting still in full effect, things are always subject to change. This story will be updated as needed to reflect any future modifications at the position.

2021 in review

The edges of Clemson’s defensive front had arguably the most quality depth of any position on the roster heading into the season. While the Tigers lost some of it along the way, the group didn’t disappoint.

Myles Murphy, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry, Justin Mascoll and Justin Foster had all started at least one game at defensive end entering the season, and that blend of talent and experience showed up with Murphy and Thomas leading the way. A former five-star recruit, Murphy has followed up his freshman All-America campaign with a stronger sophomore season, leading the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense with seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss en route to second-team All-ACC honors.

He also had 10 quarterback hurries during the regular season, which ranks third on the team behind linebacker James Skalski and Thomas, who has bounced back from a disappointing 2020 season. Thomas, who’s started nine of the 11 games he’s played, leads the team with 15 hurries to go with 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and 26 tackles, giving Clemson one of the top edge tandems in the ACC when healthy.

That hasn’t always been the case. Thomas dealt with a hamstring injury late in the regular season that sidelined him for Clemson’s most recent game against South Carolina. Meanwhile, Foster underwent back surgery that ended his season after just five games while Mascoll has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, further cutting into the depth at the position.

But Henry did a serviceable filling in as a starter. Another former blue-chip recruit, the fourth-year junior has started three games and combined for six tackles and 1.5 sacks in the final two games of the regular season. Thomas hasn’t been limited during bowl practice and looks primed to return to the starting lineup for the bowl game.

Will it be the last game in a Clemson uniform for the veterans the Tigers have at the position?

Barring a transfer, Murphy, who’s not yet draft-eligible, will be returning. Sixth-year senior Regan Upshaw is out of eligibility while Henry, Thomas, Mascoll and Foster have all been a part of Clemson’s program for at least four seasons but could decide to use the COVID year granted by the NCAA last season to return, though the odds of all four doing that aren’t in Clemson’s favor.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney suggested recently he still doesn’t know what they’re going to decide to do, adding he’ll keep scholarships open for them just in case. He should have their answers after the bowl game if not sooner.

But even if some of them decide to move on, the Tigers still have some depth at the position, albeit largely unproven.

Sophomore Kevin Swint filled out the rotation, flashing some of his potential in limited action. He finished the regular season with nine tackles, three tackles for loss and a hurry in nine games. Third-year sophomore Greg Williams has played in four games as a reserve. There’s also freshmen Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson, a pair of highly touted ends in Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class who are in line to redshirt. 

Who’s leaving?

Upshaw, Thomas (maybe), Henry (maybe), Mascoll (maybe), Foster (maybe)

Who’s staying?

Murphy, Thomas (maybe), Henry (maybe), Mascoll (maybe), Foster (maybe), Swint, Williams, Denhoff, Patterson

Who’s joining?

Nobody as of now

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What CB coach Greg Williams had to say about Cardinals CBs

He described Malcolm Butler and the rest of the notable players to be in the mix this year.

The Arizona Cardinals have a different group of cornerbacks on the team in 2021. Patrick Peterson, Kevin Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick all are no longer on the team. They signed Malcolm Butler, brought back Robert Alford and drafted Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan.

Appearing on the team’s weekly radio show, the Big Red Rage, cornerbacks coach Greg Williams commented on the rookies they added and also about the veterans on the roster.

Read on to find out what he had to say about them.