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WATCH: Cadillac Williams delivers passionate speech to Auburn players ahead of first game as interim head coach

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•11/04/22•

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Auburn assistant coach Carnell Williams

Saturday will be a big day for Auburn and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. It’ll mark Williams’ first game as the Tigers’ interim head coach after the firing of Bryan Harsin. This marks a new chapter of his journey from Auburn star to NFL running back to, eventually, a member of the Tigers’ coaching staff.

He’s not taking the opportunity lightly, and that’s evident by the speech he gave to his team ahead of his debut.

“It’s truly, truly, all about the ball, man,” Williams started.

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Football changed Williams’ life. He walked the players through his journey to becoming a No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Football also provided him an opportunity to get a college degree, and he’ll represent his alma mater as interim head coach Saturday against Mississippi State.

“A lot of you guys know my story. I’ll try not to get emotional,” Williams said. “Raised at home, a single parent, six kids. All I had was a dream, and I fell in love with the game of football. I made it all about this ball. And I will be forever indebted to this ball here because it has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. It has opened up doors. It has brought people in my life. Brought me to Auburn University. Got me a degree. Got me to play in the NFL. The ultimate thing, helped me provide for my family, take care of my mom. Changed the trajectory of my family.

“So, I say, ‘All about the ball,’ truly all about the ball.”

Auburn and Mississippi State kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Cadillac Williams shares how Auburn staff found out about Bryan Harsin firing, interim tag

Monday was a whirlwind day for Auburn. The Tigers not only were in the process of hiring a new athletic director, but also fired football coach Bryan Harsin and named Carnell “Cadillac” Williams as the interim.

That seems like a busy day — and for Williams, it was busy in more ways than one.

“Emotions were everywhere,” Williams said Wednesday. “Coach Harsin gave me the opportunity to stay on staff, to be a part of this thing. It was a tough day for me, but I had an opportunity to address the team. I was just ecstatic and I’m honored, again, to have this opportunity and those players, man, they were excited.

“We’re just taking it one day at a time. This is not ideal, but man, we are definitely looking forward to the challenge.”