Paul Williams - Football Coach - Wake Forest University Athletics

Paul Williams

Title:
Cornerbacks
Email:
williamp@wfu.edu
Phone:
336-758-5843

Paul Williams is set to enter his fourth season on the Wake Forest football staff in 2023 and has led the Demon Deacons cornerbacks to new heights in his first three seasons in Winston-Salem.

Two seasons ago in 2021, Williams helped head coach Dave Clawson lead the Deacs to a program-record tying 11-3 record, including a school-best 7-1 mark in ACC play. The defensive backs helped Wake Forest force a Clawson-era record 29 turnovers (15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries). The total is the most since 2008 when Wake Forest tallied 37 turnovers.

Additionally with good coverage on the backend of the defense, Wake Forest tallied 38 sacks in 2021 to set another Clawson-era record. That mark sits second second in program history behind the Deacs 1992 squad (46). Meanwhile, Wake Forest’s 223 yardage lost by their 38 sacks was the school’s highest mark since at least 1996.

Williams tutored Ja’Sir Taylor and Caelen Carson to All-ACC Honorable Mention honors in 2021. Taylor went on to be a sixth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.

This past fall in 2022, Williams helped new defensive coordinator Brad Lambert as he coordinated a Deacs defense that forced 16 turnovers (seven interceptions, nine fumbles) as Wake Forest won eight games for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program. Additionally, the Demon Deacons downed Missouri in the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, which marked the 11th bowl victory in program history.

With that aforementioned win over the Tigers and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt where the Wake Forest defense was able to force three turnovers (including a pick-six by senior DB Coby Davis), the Deacs defeated defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference last fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.

As a team, Williams and Lambert’s defense continued a stretch of 30-plus sacks and 85-plus tackles-for-loss as a unit for the third time in the last four seasons (2020).

Three years ago in his first in Winston-Salem back in 2020, Wake Forest corners played an instrumental role in helping a Demon Deacon defense finish the season with a +10 turnover margin, the highest in the Clawson era. The Deacs were one of just seven FBS schools to post a +10 or better margin in the country, tying for fourth in that category.

Taylor was a 2020 All-ACC honoree and rookie Gavin Holmes returned his first career interception for a touchdown at Syracuse.

Williams has a long history of training NFL talent over his 25-year coaching career. Currently, Williams has 11 players on active NFL rosters and has produced 14 NFL draft picks from five different schools.

Included on his list of NFL players is 2016 first round pick Artie Burns, who was recruited by and played under Williams at Miami (FL). In his final season under William’s tutelage, Burns intercepted six passes, the most by a Hurricane since Sean Taylor’s 10 in 2003.

The longest tenured NFL veteran coached by Williams was safety Mike Adams. The 16-year pro was voted to two Pro Bowls. Adams and Williams played a key role in Delaware’s 2004 DI-AA National Championship. In the title game, the Blue Hens defense shutout Colgate en route to a 40-0 victory. Delaware allowed just 111 yards passing and Colgate completed just 10 passes.

In his last six stops as an on-field coach, Williams has produced at least one NFL defensive back.

Married to the former Nicole Heileman and has one son, Austin, and twins, Jaxon and Leah.

Wake Forest (2020-Present)

During his time in Winston-Salem, Williams has made a major impact on the Demon Deacons defensive backfield as he has had at least one cornerback earn All-ACC honors in two of his first three seasons.
Overall for the 2022 season, Williams and new defensive coordinator Brad Lambert coordinated a Deacs defense that forced 16 turnovers (seven interceptions, nine fumbles) as Wake Forest won eight games for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program. Additionally, the Demon Deacons downed Missouri in the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, which marked the 11th bowl victory in program history.
- With that aforementioned win over the Tigers and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt where the Wake Forest defense was able to force three turnovers (including a pick-six by senior DB Coby Davis), the Deacs defeated defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference last fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.
- As a team with good coverage by Williams’ cornerbacks, Wake’s defense continued a stretch of 30-plus sacks and 85-plus tackles-for-loss as a unit for the third time in the last four seasons (2020).
- Wake Forest’s most-productive cornerback under Williams’ tutelage in 2022 was former Harvard transfer, Isaiah Wingfield. He started at nickel and outside corner and totaled 49 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and one interception.
In 2021, the cornerbacks helped Wake Forest force a Dave Clawson era record 29 turnovers (15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries). The total is the most since 2008 when Wake Forest tallied 37 turnovers.
- Additionally with good coverage on the backend of the defense, Wake Forest tallied 38 sacks in 2021 to set another Clawson-era record. That mark sits second second in program history behind the Deacs 1992 squad (46).
- Meanwhile, Wake Forest’s 223 yardage lost by their 38 sacks was the school’s highest mark since at least 1996.
- Individually, Williams led Williams tutored Ja’Sir Taylor and Caelen Carson to All-ACC Honorable Mention honors in 2021.
- Statistically, Taylor finished the season with 60 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Carson recorded 31 stops, two INTs and a team-high seven breakups and his classmate Gavin Holmes recorded 19 tackles, four breakups and a game-changing interception in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl win over Rutgers.
In Williams' first season in 2020, Wake Forest had its highest turnover margin in the Dave Clawson era with a +10 margin on the season. The Deacs were one of just seven FBS schools to meet this mark, tying for fourth in that category.

A trio of cornerbacks would snag interceptions in 2020, including two by All-ACC honoree Ja'Sir Taylor.
- Taylor and Holmes returned their picks for touchdowns, helping the Deacs finish tied for seventh nationally and first in the conference with three interceptions returned for scores.

Texas (2019)

Helped the Longhorns to an 8-5 season and a victory over No. 11 Utah in the Alamo Bowl.

Houston (2018)

In his lone season at Houston, three players ranked in The American's top 25 for passes defended and his group accounted for five interceptions.
Worked with 2019 fourth-round pick Isiah Johnson who went on to play for the Oakland Raiders.

Illinois (2016-17)

Williams' protégé Bennett Williams earned Freshman All-America honors from ESPN and he was one of four defensive backs under Williams to earn postseason honors in 2017.
In his first season in Champaign, Williams guided a pass defense that ranked 16th nationally, allowing only 185.9 passing yards per game.

Miami (FL) (2011-15)

Williams helped the Hurricanes reach three-straight bowl games from 2013-15.
During the 2014 campaign, Miami's secondary held opponents to under 200 yards per game (191.4), ranking 17th in the nation.
Over his five seasons at Miami (FL), Williams helped develop eight future NFL players including 2016 first-round pick, Artie Burns.

Temple (2006-10)

Over Williams' final two seasons in Philadelphia, the Owls combined to go 17-7 .
Williams tutored defensive back Jaiquawn Jarrett to First Team All-MAC honors before being selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Western Michigan (2005)

In his lone season in Kalamazoo, Williams helped rebuild Western Michigan to seven wins in 2005 after the team went 1-10 in 2004, the year prior to his arrival.
He helped groom Louis Delmas into a second round pick by the Detroit Lions and later spent six years in the NFL.

Delaware (1999-2004)

During his time at his alma mater, Delaware, Williams helped grow the Blue Hens program to national prominence, capped off by a 15-1 record and the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 2003.
Delaware cornerback Sidney Haugabrook was a four-time all-conference honoree and a first-team AFCA and Walter Camp All-American as a senior in 2004. Not to be outdone, defensive backs Mike Adams and Ricardo Walker; placekickers Brad Shushman and Scott Collins; return specialist Brett Veach; as well as punters Ryan Bleiler and Chris Steiner were all named to all-league teams under Williams.
Williams was key in the development of defensive back Mike Adams. The Blue Hen great has played 16 seasons in the NFL, spending the 2019-20 season with the Houston Texans. Adams earned Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015.

Penn (1997-98)

He coached for two seasons in the Ivy League as a secondary assistant and special teams coach at Penn.

Lafayette (1996)

After graduating from Delaware, he immediately started his coaching career as a defensive line assistant at Lafayette.

Background:

Earned a bachelor's degree in physical education studies from Delaware in 1996, lettering four years and playing on two Yankee Conference championship teams.
Recorded 189 tackles, 27 pass breakups and 10 interceptions for the Blue Hens and set an NCAA I-AA playoff record with a 100-yard interception return against Hofstra in 1995.
Also ran track and set the Delaware record in the indoor 200 meters and won the 200 meters at the 1993 American East Outdoor Championships.

Personal:

Williams and his wife, Nicole, have one son, Austin, and twins, Jaxon and Leah.

Coaching History

Seasons	School/Team	Title/Position Coached
2020-present	Wake Forest	Cornerbacks
2019	Texas	Analyst
2018	Houston	Cornerbacks
2016-17	Illinois	Defensive Backs
2011-15	Miami (FL)	Defensive Backs
2006-10	Temple	Defensive Backs
2005	Western Michigan	Safeties
2001-04	Delaware	Secondary/Special Teams
1997-98	Penn	Secondary/Special Teams
1996	Lafayette	Defensive Line Assistant

Postseason History

Season	Bowl Game/Postseason	Opponent	Result
2022	Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (Wake Forest)	Missouri	W, 27-17
2021	TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Wake Forest)	Rutgers	W, 38-10
2020	Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Wake Forest)	Wisconsin	L, 28-42
2019	Alamo Bowl (Texas)	Utah	W, 38-10
2018	Armed Forces Bowl (Houston)	Army	L, 14-70
2015	Sun Bowl (Miami)	Washington State	L, 14-20
2014	Independence Bowl (Miami)	South Carolina	L, 21-24
2013	Russell Athletic Bowl (Miami)	Louisville	L, 9-36
2009	EagleBank Bowl (Temple)	UCLA	L, 21-30
2006	International Bowl (Western Michigan)	Cincinnati	L, 24-27
2004	FCS Playoffs - Quarterfinals	William & Mary	L, 38-44
2004	FCS Playoffs - First Round	Lafayette	W, 28-14
2003	FCS Playoffs - National Championship	Colgate	W, 40-0
2003	FCS Playoffs - Semifinals	Wofford	W, 24-9
2003	FCS Playoffs - Quarterfinals	Northern Iowa	W, 37-7
2003	FCS Playoffs - First Round	Southern Illinois	W, 48-7