Former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Blake Williams is in his first season with the Lions as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Williams was brought in as the linebacker coach with the 2012 Rams, before taking over as defensive coordinator for his father, Gregg. Under Williams’ tutelage, St. Louis ranked No. 15 in the NFL against both the run and the pass, while also ranking in the top half of the league with 21.8 points per game allowed.
Williams’ stay in St. Louis was the most recent of four NFL jobs in his career. Prior to going to St. Louis, he was on the New Orleans Saints’ staff from 2009-11. Williams was an offensive assistant for the Super Bowl XLIV Champions, working with the offensive line. He spent the next two seasons as a linebackers coach for the Saints.
Williams got his coaching start as an intern coach for two seasons for the Washington Redskins. Prior to his time in New Orleans, Williams was an assistant working with the linebackers and as strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. Williams has spent the past two seasons working as a defensive coaching consultant at William Jewell College.
A graduate of Princeton, Williams lettered four years for the Tigers. Williams played defensive back and was a special teams standout for the Ivy League member.
