Thursday, February 1, 2001
 

BILLS NAME GREGG WILLIAMS HEAD COACH

Orchard Park, NY - The Buffalo Bills today announced the hiring of Gregg Williams as the 12th head coach in franchise history.

"Gregg brings to our franchise a long list of very impressive credentials," said Bills President/General Manager Tom Donahoe. "He did a remarkable job during the interview process and made a strong presentation for his plans to lead our team into the next chapter of Bills winning football. His strengths are in the areas of leadership, knowledge of the game of football, organizational skills, and people skills.

"This was a rather exhaustive process with several very qualified candidates being seriously considered for the position," said Donahoe. "But I am confident that we have selected the candidate who best fits our needs and we are excited to have Gregg join our staff."

Williams, 42, recently finished his 11th season with the Tennessee organization and his fourth season as the Titans' defensive coordinator. Williams worked his way up from quality control coach in 1990 to defensive coordinator in 1997. Under his leadership in 2000, the Titans defensive unit led the league in total defense for the first time since joining the NFL and the 191 points allowed were the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978. The Tennessee defense also led the league in third-down efficiency (30.8%), fourth-down efficiency (8.3%) and fewest first downs allowed (215).

In 2000, under Williams' guidance, the team also established the franchise's single-season records for sacks (55), fewest passing yards allowed (2,424), and fewest offensive touchdowns allowed (17). The Titans also rank first in the AFC and second in the NFL over the past two seasons in sacks with 109 combined. Tennessee was the only team in the NFL to place in the top seven in both run (3) and pass defense (1); and over the last 37 games, the Titans' run defense only allowed three 100-yard rushers. Two seasons ago, the Titans' defense also led the NFL in the big play stat of combined sacks and turnovers with an impressive 94.

Williams spent three seasons (1994-96) overseeing the Oilers' linebackers after spending the 1993 campaign as the team's special teams coach. In 1993, Williams' special teams unit had the top-rated punting game and rated sixth in kickoff return defense. From 1990-92, Williams served as the club's first quality control coordinator. In addition, Williams had previously assisted in the coaching of the Oilers' defensive backs, assisted the "scout" teams for practice sessions and helped the defensive coaching staff on game day.

Prior to joining the Oilers, Williams spent the 1988-89 seasons working with the linebackers as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston for former Oilers head coach Jack Pardee. From 1984-87, Williams was the head coach at Belton (MO) High School after spending the 1980-83 campaigns as an assistant coach at his hometown of Excelsior Springs (MO) High School.

A native of Excelsior Springs, Mo. (7/15/58), Williams played football (quarterback) and baseball at Northeast Missouri State where he received his B.S. degree. He later earned his master's in education from Central Missouri State. Gregg and his wife, Leigh Ann, have two sons, Blake (16) and Chase (9), and a daughter, Amy (11).GREGG WILLIAMS COACHING HISTORY YEAR-BY-YEAR

Year     Position                         Team

1997-00 Defensive Coordinator    Tennessee Titans

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ATTENTION MEDIA: Gregg Williams will officially be introduced as the Bills new head coach at a press conference on Friday at 3:00 PM in the media room of the team's practice facility in Orchard Park.

- BILLS -