Shaud Williams bringing new energy to Mississippi State

While the hire of the head coach is ultimately the most important job of a program, a strength and conditioning coach is as important as any.

Mississippi State’s head of strength and conditioning is former Alabama running back Shaud Williams and he’s brought a new energy to Starkville. It’s become a running joke in college football that the new strength coach has changed the culture, but the proof has been in the numbers for State so far.

Williams spoke to the MSU media for the first time to discuss his work.

Question: How did you feel like your guys attacked the training?

SW: “I feel like they’ve done a great job. They’ve responded well. All the challenges that we threw at them this offseason, we asked them to do some incredibly hard things and they always seemed to respond and rise to the occasion. So I’m really excited for the progress we made this offseason.”

Q: How much do you feel like a team builds chemistry during workouts?

SW: “I think they build a great deal of chemistry. You’ve got to think about it, you’re put in tough situations and you find out what the guy next to you is all about. You’re in here every day sweating and bleeding together so I feel like a great deal of chemistry is built here in the weightroom.”

Q: What did your strength coach mean to you?

SW: “They were huge. I had the great Ben Pollard and Terry Jones Jr. I feel like they played a great part in my development and always having me ready to play on Saturdays. A strength staff plays a big role in getting guys ready to play and their development. Hopefully, we’ve done that.”

Q: Does the transfer portal change anything you like to do?

SW: “No, it’s a normal year. Whatever guys walk through that door, that’s who we’re going to change. It doesn’t matter if it’s a freshman, fifth-year guy, transfer, it doesn’t matter. Whoever walks through that door, we’re going to train them and try to get them better.”

Q: Can you share some specifics about your strength program that makes you different than some of the other programs guys have been used to in the past?

SW: “I don’t know if there’s anything really specific. I always convert back to the things that made be better as a football player and some of the things I did in college. I don’t know if there’s anything that sets us apart. Regardless of the program you put together, if they don’t buy in and trust you, it doesn’t matter. Building those relationships, building that trust and letting those guys know that whatever you’re doing you have their best interest at heart. It doesn’t matter what program you put together, you’ve got to have trust.”

Q: What was the focus you wanted to have with your guys in year one?

SW: “It was really just coming in and trying to set the culture and the standard. That’s really what you’ve got to do when you first walk in the door is getting those guys to understand the standard we’re going to operate at and letting them know we’re not going to deviate from that. The main thing we wanted to focus on was building that culture.”  

Q: You have a connection to Jeff Lebby going back. How much did that factor in to your decision to come here?

SW: “It was a no-brainer. I’ve known Jeff for a long time. Obviously, everybody knows the history of Jeff and his family meaning a great deal to me. They played a big role in me being where I am today. Whenever Jeff called, it was a no-brainer.”

Q: How important is Jawarski Beckham in your plan with his speed training?

SW: “It’s extremely important. I think coach Jaws is arguably one of the best speed coaches in the country – I’d put him up against anybody. I felt like it was important to get him here and get these guys faster. I feel like our whole staff has done a great job. Eric Anthony and David Underwood have done a great job working with our big boys. Christian Bucchanan for our combos. I think those guys have done a great job getting those guys on board and getting the program going.”

Q: How important was it that you and Beckham had already worked together?

SW: “It was huge. We all knew each other and kind of knew how we all operated. We walked in the door with the same vision and same beliefs so it was easy. We hit the ground day one running because we were all of the same makeup, same beliefs, same background and came in ready to roll.”

Q: How much free range has coach Lebby given you?

SW: “He’s been awesome. He’s really trusted me. He’s, not to say completely hands off, but he’s trusted me to do what I need to do which is to trickle down to the rest of the staff. I trust the rest of the staff to do what they do. There’s a great deal of trust there and I know it’s not like that everywhere, but it feels good knowing that he has a great deal of trust in the weight room.”

Q: What did you see in Blake Shapen in the offseason?

SW: “Blake is a competitor, man. He came in and did everything we asked of him and didn’t ask for any modifications. He came in, attacked it and I think the guys seeing him work allowed him to take on that leadership role. He came in with a great attitude, worked his butt off and had a great offseason.”

Q: Who are some of the fastest and strongest players on the team?

SW: “Strong wise, you’ve got (Trevion Williams) and Ethan Miner. Fast you’ve got Kelley Jones, Mario Craver, Kevin Coleman, you’ve got those guys that can run. Those are just some guys that standout and there are some other guys that had a great offseason.”

Q: How do you let the guys know that they’re going up against the best and there are no days off?

SW: “Really just coming in the door and getting guys to understand that we’re not going to ask them to do anything that we haven’t done ourselves. Playing in this league, we know how competitive and tough this is. I think they understand we have to train at a certain level and it’s got to be like that every day. I think those guys did a great job of understanding what it takes in this league and you’re going to have to train day in and day out.”

Q: A lot of times players will share things with the strength coaches they wouldn’t share with anyone else. How do you build that trust?

SW: “Day one I told our staff I wanted us to be the constant so the guys know when they walk in the door they know what they’re getting with us. Just try to be the same staff every single day. Doing that, builds a great deal of trust. Those guys know that our door is open, they can tell us anything and trust us. It’s helped us build a great deal of chemistry between players and coaches.”

Q: What’s your gameday role going to be?

SW: “I told coach Lebby I’m not going to keep his big butt back. Whatever it needs to be. I’m sure I’ll be a ‘get-back’ coach at some point. Getting those guys warmed up will obviously be my main role.”

Q: What’s training like during the year?

SW: “Once we get to the regular season, we’ll probably go two or three times a week. It’s really hitting the meat and potatoes and maintaining those qualities we built in the offseason. Nothing super crazy, just trying to get them in and out because the emphasis is on football.”