Kyle Williams enters his fifth year on staff for the Lions as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and cornerbacks coach.
In 2023, the Lion defense finished the season nationally ranked in several categories once again, including second in interceptions, first in interception return yards, fourth in takeaways, and top 20 in sacks. The defense produced three All-Southland players in Levi Drake Rodriquez, Daryion Taylor, and Max Epps, all being named to the first team. Two of the 3 were also named All-Americans, with Epps earning AP third team honors and Rodriguez, being named to Pro Football Focus' All-America team.
Defensively in 2022, the first FCS season for the program, the Lion’s defense finished nationally ranked in several categories. They were 2nd in pass efficiency defense, 3rd in defensive touchdowns , 4th in pass defense, 8th in third down defense , 8th in total defense, 11th in tackles for loss, 13th in scoring defense and 14th in interceptions. In addition the A&M-Commerce defense had five all-conference selections two being first team.
Williams was the Lion’s Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach for the 2021 season. Nationally A&M Commerce had one of the best defensive units in Division II finishing 1st in fewest passing touchdowns allowed, 3rd in total defense, 3rd in pass defense, 5th in scoring, 5th in passing efficiency, and 5th in fumbles recovered. Kyle oversaw a secondary with six all conference selections (three were 1st team). Kader Kohou earned All-American honors and LSC Defensive Back of the Year.
Williams began his Lion tenure as Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach in 2019. The Lions defense ended the year ranked 2nd in the Lone Star Conference in passing yardage allowed.
Prior to coming to the Lions in 2019 Williams was the Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach for UT Permian Basin in 2017 and 2018. In his first season with the Falcons they had a program record 8 interceptions while breaking up 28 passes. The defense allowed 891 fewer passing yards and 11 fewer touchdown passes from the previous season. UTPB improved 133 spots nationally in the red zone defense, 93 spots in passing defense and cut opponents scoring by 13 points/game.
Before coming to UTPB Williams spent four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Sul Ross University football program. During his tenure (40 games) the Lobo defense had 102 takeaways, 49 4th down stops and scored 12 defensive touchdowns. His special teams also scored 6 touchdowns. On average the defense forced the ball back 3.8 times/game. Over the same period the Lobos finished in the top 10 nationally in takeaways, fumble recoveries and blocked kicks. During those four seasons Williams coached 25 All Conference players with 9 earning All American status.
Before his duties at Sul Ross Williams spent one season as a grad assistant at USC coaching defensive backs. Prior to his time at USC he spent two seasons at Evangel University as the Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach as well as the Recruiting Coordinator. Kyle started his collegiate coaching career at K State as a graduate assistant for defensive backs and as an assistant recruiting coordinator. He spent three years in this position under Head Coach Bill Snyder.
A native of Pine Bluff, AR Williams played quarterback and safety at Watson Chapel High School. He earned all state honors in three sports; football, basketball and baseball.
His collegiate football playing career began at Navarro Junior College where Williams earned All American Cornerback honors before transferring to K State. During his playing time at K State he earned All-Big 12 honors as a Safety and received a degree in Social Science.
Following his collegiate career, Williams joined the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent before beginning his coaching career. Kyle and his wife Carrie have four children; Lucas, Jacob, Chloe, and Lola.
