James Williams is in his first season as the cornerbacks coach at Kennesaw State.
Williams arrives in Kennesaw after three seasons at Alabama State as the cornerbacks coach and NFL liaison. He was promoted to associate head coach in July 2023.
Last season under Williams’ tutelage, cornerback James Burgess was named an AFCA Second-Team FCS All-American after a terrific 2024 campaign in which he finished first and third in the SWAC, respectively, with four interceptions and 10 passes defended, in addition to 53 stops. Burgess’ receiver was targeted 37 times in man coverage, only surrendering nine catches.
Burgess also won the Aeneas Williams Award in 2024 and is slated to compete in the Hula Bowl.
In 2023, ASU led the SWAC in scoring defense 14.5 (No. 2 in FCS), and ranked second in total defense (281.9/No. 3 in FCS), passing yards allowed (181.0/10th in FCS), rush defense and (100.9/No. 9 in FCS). The Hornets were third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in fumbles removed (11/10th in FCS) and fourth in turnovers gained (22).
The postseason awards saw three Hornets were named to the All-SWAC teams. Colton Adams was named to the first team while Treqwan Thomas and Mikey Victory was earned All-SWAC second-team honors. Colton Adams and Mikey Victory nabbed All-American honors with Adams being named FCS Football Central's Defensive Player of the Year, while Victor was an Aeneas Williams Finalist was later signed by the New England Patriots.
In 2022, the Hornets ranked second in the SWAC in interceptions (14) and third total defense (313.9), rush defense (126.6) and pass defense (187.2) and Adrian Maddox was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top freshman in FCS.
Williams coached defensive back Keenan Isaac in 2022, who went on to sign in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is currently with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Williams joined the ASU staff after a stint as the President of Huddle Up, NFL Former Player’s Association Houston Chapter (2016-18). He also spent time as the Treasurer of the NFL Former Player’s Association, Houston Chapter (2014-15) following his playing career.
No stranger to the SWAC, Williams also played collegiately at Texas Southern as both a running back and defensive back. He totaled 13 career interceptions and 138 total tackles on his way to earning induction into the Texas Southern Hall of Fame (2015).
Following his collegiate career, he went on to play for three different teams in the NFL including Indianapolis (1992) following his time at Texas Southern. He also spent time with Houston and the New York Giants before landing in NFL Europe. He played from 1995-97 for the Scottish Claymores, helping the team to the World Championship in 1996.
After his playing career, Williams spent time in the banking industry, while also founding Fight 4 Me, Inc. (in Houston and Memphis). The organization is a non-profit that assisted young men, ages 12-17, that lived in underserved areas to develop character, vision, and life skills. He also assisted youth in matriculation into college and assisted over 100 men in securing collegiate scholarships over a five-year period.
He has served as a guest professor (Memphis, 2021), was the 2017 City of Houston Humanitarian Award recipient, has served as part of the Wells Fargo National Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, and was a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity.
Williams was selected by the National Football League as the corners coach for the 2025 HBCU Combine.
