Sources: LSU signs Kyle Williams as new DL coach
LSU head coach Brian Kelly‘s on-field coaching staff has been finalized with the hire of former Tiger and longtime NFL star Kyle Williams.
Williams signed paperwork to become the program’s new defensive line coach on Thursday evening, sources tell The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon.
He’s set to arrive in Baton Rouge on Friday following the deal reaching being finalized on Thursday, sources added. LSU begins the first of 15 spring practices on Saturday, meaning the hire comes 48 hours out from one of the most important stretches of the offseason.
Williams, who recently stepped down from his post-NFL career gig as Ruston High’s defensive coordinator, replaces another former LSU defensive lineman in Bo Davis.
In late-February, Davis, who spent one season coaching the defensive line at LSU, accepted the defensive line coaching job with the New Orleans Saints.
LSU assistant Kevin Peoples continues to coach the defensive ends and edge rushers, meaning Williams is tasked with recruiting, developing and coaching the defensive tackles and nose guards.
The former LSU First-Team All-American defensive lineman played for the Tigers from 2002 to 2005, winning a National Championship in 2003 before appearing in 46 games with 33 starts across his college career.
Top 10
- 1New
Nate Oats
Fires shot at Auburn, Baker-Mazara
- 2Hot
Bracketology update
Alabama, Kentucky on the move
- 3
Down goes No. 1
Alabama buzzer-beater drops Auburn
- 4
Eddie George
Emerges as finalist for HC vacancy
- 5
Chad Baker-Mazara
Ejected, ripped by Dick Vitale
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Williams finished his time in Baton Rouge with 16.5 quarterback sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 140 tackles before being selected by Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Safe to say, the Bills got value out of the No. 134 overall pick.
Williams would go on to spend his entire career playing for Buffalo before retiring in 2018 after making the Pro Bowl six times and landing on the All-Pro list in 2010. As a longtime team captain for the Bills, Williams started for Buffalo in 178 of his 183 games played, closing out his football playing days with more than 600 tackles from his defensive tackle position.
Williams returned to his hometown of Ruston (La.) after retiring and took up coaching at the high school level, where he was part of a State Championship run as a coach at the high school he suited up for 25 years ago. In January, Williams stepped down from his post as Ruston’s defensive coordinator with an eye on spending more time with family.
Now, he’s said yes to the unexpected opportunity to coach the defensive line at his college alma mater.
Beyond the search for a defensive line coach, the lone other offseason hire for the Tigers came with the addition of former Florida State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins as the new tight ends coach in Baton Rouge, replacing former tight ends coach Slade Nagle after Nagle landed the offensive coordinator job at Houston.
