DJ Williams, son of HBCU legend Doug Williams, lands prominent NFL job

By HBCU Sports Report
HBCU Sports
https://hbcusports.com/

The Atlanta Falcons have officially promoted DJ Williams to quarterbacks coach, marking a significant step in his career and the storied Williams football legacy.

Williams, who served as the Falcons’ assistant quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant last season, will now take the reins of a pivotal position as the team looks to develop its next generation of signal-callers.

Williams, the son of Super Bowl XXII MVP and Grambling State legend Doug Williams, has steadily climbed the coaching ranks since his days as a standout quarterback at Grambling State University. After graduating in 2015, DJ Williams had tryouts with several NFL teams before pivoting to coaching.

He joined the New Orleans Saints’ staff in 2019. There, he spent five seasons as an offensive assistant and played a key role in developing quarterbacks. In 2023, he helped Derek Carr achieve a top-10 NFL ranking in completions, touchdowns, and passer rating.

In 2024, Williams moved to Atlanta, joining the Falcons as an offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach. He worked closely with veterans like Kirk Cousins and promising rookie Michael Penix Jr., earning praise for his ability to connect with players and translate complex offensive concepts.

His promotion is part of head coach Raheem Morris’s efforts to assemble a dynamic and diverse coaching staff. Williams’s background as a former HBCU star and the son of a trailblazing NFL quarterback brings a unique perspective to the Falcons’ locker room. Doug Williams, who broke barriers as the first Black quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP, expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments, noting that the family legacy is in good hands.

With Williams now leading the quarterbacks’ room, the Falcons are optimistic about the development of Michael Penix Jr., widely seen as the franchise’s future quarterback. Williams’s experience as a player and coach positions him to play a critical role in shaping Atlanta’s offense for years to come.