Cadillac Williams thankful for opportunity to coach, grow as a leader

Carnell Williams’ time as Auburn’s interim head coach ended with the program’s hiring of Hugh Freeze. However, ‘Cadillac’ more than made the most of his time as the Tiger’s leader. He made a difference on the team while he was at the helm and, in the end, he says everyone involved made just as profound an impact on him.

After the Iron Bowl, Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the young men in Auburn’s program. With wins and losses coming and going in life, Williams says he’s most proud of how the players responded under him and, in turn, bolstered him as a leader.

“Through this process, they’ve made me a better person, better husband, father, friend. It’s just powerful what you can do whenever you get people believing, serving, making it about each other,” said Williams. “It’s powerful. That’s the thing I’m most happy for while I’ve had this opportunity.”

“That is what I told players (and) staff. I don’t know how many games we’re gonna win and, honestly and quite frankly, it sounds harsh to say but it didn’t really matter. It didn’t. I saw kids that were broken, kids that needed help. And the opportunity to serve them? And get to see how wide they opened their hearts?…Those were a lot of cool things in these four weeks I’ve had.”

Words like these are exactly why the Tigers retained Williams on Freeze’s staff. He bought fully into using the position to the benefit of his players while in charge. In return, the program has bought back into him as a continued member of their family moving forward.

Freeze, Cohen extend praise for Cadillac’s job as Auburn interim

After four games as the Auburn interim head coach, Cadillac Williams proved to newly hired head coach Hugh Freeze that he deserves a spot on his staff. After Freeze was hired by athletic director John Cohen, the three had a meeting. It concluded with Williams being offered a promotion to associate head coach.

In Freeze’s introductory press conference, Cohen announced the news to everyone, commending Williams for a job well done holding down the fort after the firing of Bryan Harsin.

“Before we get started, I want to recognize Carnell Williams,” Cohen said. “He did an incredible job as our interim coach and a tremendous job as a leader not only for our football program, but our university as well. I know Coach Williams had a great meeting with Coach Freeze last night. I’m just thrilled to say I think we’re gonna have two great leaders leading this football program. I’m so excited about that.”

Williams went 2-2 as the Tigers’ interim head coach. His big moment came during a 13-10 victory against Texas A&M. It snapped a five-game losing streak and had many endorsing him as a candidate to take over permanently.

Although that didn’t happen, Williams still showed an ability to galvanize a fan base and team. Freeze knew he wanted that on his staff. His meeting with Williams and Cohen only further confirmed what he already went in thinking.

“I’m so glad that the schedule for me at the end of the year married up with being able to witness (Williams’) final few games here,” Freeze said. “What I witnessed was one of the most outstanding jobs of leadership that I’ve ever witnessed in college football. Being in this profession, I know how hard it is to finish seasons…Much less finishing a season playing with enthusiasm, passion and desire and having fun like what I witnessed when I turned on Auburn games. To me, it was a direct reflection of Cadillac and his leadership and how he led the staff and those young men.”