Paul Williams enters his first season as the nickels coach at Texas A&M after joining Coach Elko’s staff in February of 2026.
Williams arrived in Aggieland following a three-year stint at Stanford, where he served as the Cardinal's defensive backs coach and helped guide one of the ACC's most improved secondaries. In 2025, Stanford allowed its fewest passing touchdowns since 2021 and held opponents under 30 points per game for the first time since 2018. Williams helped develop All-ACC honorable mention safety Jay Green, who returned from injury to lead Stanford in pass breakups while producing key plays throughout the season.
A veteran secondary coach with a reputation for player development, Williams has produced 14 NFL Draft selections from five different programs during his coaching career. His most recent NFL Draft selections include cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor, a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, and Isiah Johnson, a fourth-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2019.
Prior to Stanford, Williams spent three seasons at Wake Forest, where he helped the Demon Deacons to a 23-13 record from 2020-22 while coaching one of the top defensive back units in the ACC. In 2021, Wake Forest produced a program-record-tying 11-win season, including a school-best 7-1 mark in conference play, while forcing 29 turnovers — the program's most since 2008. Williams mentored All-ACC defensive back Ja'Sir Taylor, who went on to become a sixth-round NFL Draft selection.
Williams also spent time at Houston (2018), Illinois (2016-17) and Miami. During his five seasons with the Hurricanes (2011-15), Williams helped Miami reach three consecutive bowl games and developed eight future NFL players, including 2016 first-round NFL Draft selection Artie Burns. In 2014, Miami ranked 17th nationally in pass defense, allowing just 191.4 yards per game.
Williams spent five seasons (2006-10) at Temple, helping the Owls to a 17-7 record over his final two seasons in Philadelphia. Defensive back Jaiquawn Jarrett earned First Team All-MAC honors before being selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
During his lone season at Western Michigan, the Broncos went from one win in 2004 to seven wins in 2005. Williams coached Louis Delman, a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions who later spent six years in the NFL.
A 1996 graduate of Delaware, Williams spent six seasons at his alma mater (1999-04). During his time on staff, he was integral in building the Blue Hens into a national power, culminating in a 15-1 record and a Division I-AA national championship in 2003. Delaware cornerback Sidney Haugabrook was a four-time all-conference honoree and an All-American in 2004. Not to be outdone, defensive backs Mike Adams and Ricardo Walker; placekickers Brad Shushman and Scott Collins; return specialist Brett Veach; as well as punters Ryan Bleiler and Chris Steiner, were all named to all-league teams under Williams.
Williams was key in the development of Adams, a Blue Hen great who played 16 seasons in the NFL after going undrafted. He earned Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015.
Williams began his coaching career at Lafayette in 1996 and then spent two seasons at Penn.
Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education studies in 1996 from Delaware, lettering four years and playing on two Yankee Conference championship teams. During his career, he tallied 189 tackles, 27 pass breakups, and 10 interceptions. He also ran track, setting the school’s indoor 200 meters record and winning the 200 meters at the 1993 American East Outdoor Championships.
He has three children, Austin, Jaxon, and Leah.