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Defensive coordinator Brian Williams left Maryland for the same position at Jacksonville State, the Gamecocks announced Monday afternoon.
Williams had completed his sixth year with the Terps, including the last three as defensive coordinator. He had been hired in 2019 by coach Mike Locksley to mentor the outside linebackers, moved in 2020 to coach the defensive line, added co-defensive coordinator responsibilities in 2021 and was promoted in 2022 to defensive coordinator.
Under Williams’ tutelage, Maryland finished the 2023 season limiting opposing offenses to 22.5 points per game, which marked the fewest number of points allowed since 2010 when that squad surrendered 22.2 points per game. The defense also intercepted 17 passes, which was tied for fourth at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level and second in the Big Ten to Michigan.
That fall ended with six defensive players earning All-Big Ten honors, which was the most in a single season since 2014. Cornerbacks Tarheeb Still (second team) and Ja’Quan Sheppard (honorable mention), linebackers Ruben Hyppolite II (third team) and Jaishawn Barham (honorable mention), defensive end Quashon Fuller (honorable mention) and safety Beau Brade (honorable mention) were cited by the league.
Expectations were similarly lofty last fall as the Terps returned seven of 11 starters. The unit also welcomed back six of its top nine tacklers and five players who combined to intercept 10 of the 17 passes in 2023.
But Maryland (4-8, 1-8 Big Ten) fared poorly under the direction of Williams and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, the team’s co-defensive coordinator, associate head coach for defense and cornerbacks coach. The defense ranked last in the 18-team conference in total sacks (14), second to last in the conference in points per game (30.4) and third to last in total yards per game (378.1)…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/defensive-coordinator-brian-williams-departs-221100895.html
Author : Baltimore Sun
Publish date : 2025-02-18 22:11:00
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