By: Michael Goss
2023 SCHEDULE
KENNESAW, Ga. – Davern Williams has been named the new defensive ends coach at Kennesaw State, head coach
Brian Bohannon announced Thursday. Williams, who arrives at KSU after serving as the Director of Player Personnel at UAB, holds over 15 years of experience inside collegiate football.
"Coach Williams has coached the defensive line position for many years," said Bohannon. "He has developed talent all throughout his career and I am excited to watch him get to work with our guys."
As the former Director of Player Personnel at UAB, Williams provided support to the Blazers' coaching staff in various areas including recruiting, academics, and digital editing. In his lone season in Birmingham, the Blazers were crowned 2022 Bahamas Bowl Champions with a 24-20 victory over Miami (OH).
Before his time at UAB, Williams worked as the defensive line coach at Troy, serving his alma mater from 2019-2021. In his final season, the Montgomery, Ala. native was instrumental in leading a defensive line that ranked No. 2 nationally in sack percentage and No. 6 in tackle for loss percentage.
In his three seasons with the Trojans, Williams also developed Will Choloh to three different All-Sun Belt Conference selections on the defensive line. Choloh finished the 2021 season as one of the nation's top pass rushing interior linemen, ranking second with a 90.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. He also posted 31 QB pressures which ranked fourth in the FBS.
Prior to Troy, Williams spent one season as the defensive line coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2018. With the Mocs, Williams served an integral role in a defense that finished seventh in the FCS in opponent red zone touchdown percentage and fourteenth in scoring defense.
He also coached SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan Award finalist Isaiah Mack. During the 2018 season, Mack earned five different All-America honors and increased his sack total from 1.5 to 8.5.
From 2014-2017, Williams was the defensive line coach at East Mississippi Community College where the Lions posted a 42-3 record and secured two NJCAA National Championships (2014 and 2017). At EMCC, 23 of William's defensive linemen moved on to four-year schools.
In 2013, Williams spent one season as an assistant coach at Murray State. Prior to that, he worked from 2009-2012 at Jacksonville State.
With the Gamecocks, Williams developed at least one All-Ohio Valley Conference selection in each of his four years. In 2011, he also coached Monte Lewis and Torrey Davis who each signed NFL free agent contracts.
Williams graduated from Troy University with a bachelor's degree in sport and fitness management. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. In 2004, Williams signed with the New York Giants where he saw action in three games and made one start.
He received his master's degree in human development and leadership from Murray State University in 2015.
In his prep career, Williams was a three-time all-metro selection and led Jeff Davis High School to the 1996 Class 6A state championship. He was also selected as the Montgomery Advertiser's Class 6A Player of the Year.
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