University of West Florida

O.C. Williams joined the University of West Florida football coaching staff in 2014 as one of the first defensive coaches in school history. He serves as the defensive passing game coordinator and leads the UWF special teams unit.

Williams came to UWF with 14 years of coaching experience, including the last eight at UNC Pembroke. He was with UNCP when the school brought football back in 2007, and he finished his time with the Braves as the team’s defensive coordinator. UNCP ranked first in NCAA Division II in scoring defense in 2008 (11.2 points per game), and they ranked sixth in the same category in 2009 (15.1). The team also finished in the top 15 in the nation in passing defense from 2008 to 2010. In 2008, one of his defensive backs Caylon Hann finished tied for third in the nation with seven interceptions.

Williams’ special teams units also ranked among the best in the nation. In 2013, the Braves ranked in the top 20 in kickoff returns, punt returns and kickoff returns defense. L.J. Stroman also ranked second in the nation in punt returns (18.2 yards per return). In 2014, UNCP ranked fifth in kickoff returns (25.13) and sixth in punt return defense (3.16), while Stroman was the nation’s leading kickoff returner (35.0) and ranked 17th in punt returns (13.9). UNCP also had the nation’s top punter in 2009 when Justin Hinson averaged 43.05 yards per punt.

Williams’ coaching career began at his alma mater Alcorn State, where he was a graduate assistant special teams coach in 2001. His early career also included full-time coaching stops at Richwood High School in Monroe, Louisiana (2002-03), East Mississippi Community College (2004) and McPherson College (2005-06).

From 2001-04, Williams also worked with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League, acting as the team’s assistant tryout coordinator.

Williams was a defensive back for Alcorn State in 1999-00 after two years playing for Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi in 1996-97. He also saw time as a long snapper for Alcorn State.

Williams, a native of Lexington, Mississippi, graduated from Alcorn State with a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2001, and he received his master’s degree in secondary education in 2005. He is married to Tasha Williams.

Williams’ Coaching Resume
2001: Alcorn State (Special Teams)
2002-03: Richwood High School (Monroe, La.) (Defensive Backs)
2004: East Mississippi Community College (Wide Receivers)
2005: McPherson (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2006: McPherson (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2007: UNC Pembroke (Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2008-13: UNC Pembroke (Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs/Special Teams)
2014: UNC Pembroke (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2015-present: West Florida (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Special Teams)