Nebraska has officially filled the opening on its football coaching staff. The Huskers confirmed the hire of Donté Williams in a university release Monday afternoon.
Welcome to the family @CoachD_GBR!
🔴🌽✊ #GBR pic.twitter.com/Dm57yyVr4B
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) December 5, 2016
“We are confident that Donté Williams will bring great energy and expertise to our defensive coaching staff,” head coach Mike Riley said. “He has the personality and demeanor that allows him to connect and relate to his players. He will also be a dynamic addition to our staff in terms of recruiting prospective student-athletes to the University of Nebraska.”
Williams joins Nebraska’s staff after spending the 2016 regular season on the defensive staff at the University of Arizona. He is considered to be one of the best young recruiters and defensive coaches in the country.
At Nebraska, Williams is expected to coach the Huskers’ cornerbacks and sub-package specialists (nickels and dimes) and have involvement in pass defense coordination. As a result, Brian Stewart will shift his focus to the Nebraska safeties and defensive coordinator Mark Banker will return solely to the coordinator role. Special teams duties will be divided among multiple staff members in 2017.
“I am truly blessed that Coach Riley thought highly enough of me to join his staff here at the University of Nebraska,” Williams said. “Everything I have seen in Lincoln has completely raised my expectations of what I know we can accomplish here! I look forward to continuing the success of the Blackshirt defense under Coach Riley and the whole Big Red Family!”
What does hiring Williams mean for Nebraska? We broke it down exclusively on Hail Varsity Premium, including a quick look at the recruits Nebraska could receive commitments from as a result of Williams’ hire.
Hail Varsity was also able to report and confirm Williams’ hire on Saturday, Dec. 3. Never miss any breaking news by subscribing to Hail Varsity Premium.
Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
