A&M defensive line coach leaving for NFL

  • By DAVID HARRIS

  • Posted: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


The Aggie network worked against new coach Kevin Sumlin and company Monday.


Dennis Allen -- a former standout Aggie safety and first-year Oakland Raiders head football coach -- hired A&M defensive line coach Terrell Williams for the same post, according to sources.


Williams was the lone holdover from Mike Sherman's staff. Sumlin chose to retain Williams because of both his coaching abilities and recruiting prowess.


During his two seasons at A&M, Williams led an improving defensive line. The unit ranked 90th in the country in rush defense before his arrival, but Williams took it to No. 30 in 2010 in stopping the run. In 2011, the Aggies ranked No. 12 in the nation, holding opponents to an average of 101.9 yards per game.


Williams helped the Aggies go 9-4 in 2010 and reach the Cotton Bowl after he was hired along with defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter as Sherman tweaked his staff after two seasons.


Williams' most noteworthy achievement may have been helping to keep the 2012 signing class intact. A familiar face to many of the recruits, Williams was instrumental retaining a class through a coaching transition that was ranked 15th in the country by rivals.com.


Williams helped A&M sign six defensive linemen -- Polo Manukainiu of Euless Trinity, Julien Obioha of New Orleans, Edmond Ray of St. Louis, Michael Richardson of DeSoto, Tyrone Taylor of Galena Park and Alonzo Williams of Los Angeles -- as the Aggies make the transition from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 base.


Williams got off to a quick start during this recruiting period, as A&M has already added three highly touted defensive line commits for the class of 2013 -- Isaiah Golden of Elysian Fields, Kerrick Huggins of Dallas Skyline and Christian Lacourture of A&M Consolidated.


Williams, a Los Angeles native, spent four seasons at Purdue before coming to A&M. This will be his first stint in the NFL.


Sumlin thought he'd filled out his staff last week by adding Air Force defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Matt Wallerstedt as the Aggies' linebackers coach.


Mark Snyder who came from South Florida is A&M's defensive coordinator. Marcel Yates who came from Boise State is co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.


A&M will open spring drills March 31. Sumlin will have a Friday Night Lights scrimmage at Kyle Field on April 20. The Maroon & White Game will be April 28.


A&M will open its season on Aug. 30 against Louisiana Tech in Shreveport, La., and play its first Southeastern Conference game on Sept. 8 against Florida at Kyle Field.