J.D. Williams

Position: Defensive Coordinator/DBs Experience: 3rd Year

A coach familiar with the Mountain West, J.D. Williams came from the University of Utah in 2010 to serve as UNLV's assistant head coach, pass defense coordinator and defensive backs coach.

On Feb. 7, 2012, head coach Bobby Hauck announced that Williams would move up to serving as the team's defensive coordinator while still overseeing the secondary in 2012.

Williams coached the Ute cornerbacks in 2009 as the team ranked 17th in the nation in pass defense and went on to a Poinsettia Bowl victory.

He joined Utah after seven years working in Pac-10 secondaries (2006-08 at Washington and 2002-2005 at California). Prior to that, Williams served two seasons as secondary coach at his alma mater, Fresno State, from 2000-01. He also coached the secondary at San Jose State in 1999 and Cal Poly in 1998. He began his coaching career in 1997 as a Fresno State graduate assistant.

A second team All-American at corner for the Bulldogs, Williams was a first round NFL Draft pick in 1990, going to the Buffalo Bills with the 16th selection. He went on to play in four Super Bowls with the Bills and also played for the Cardinals and 49ers before his pro career ended after the 1996 season.

Williams earned his bachelor's degree in criminology from Fresno State in 1997. He and his wife, Jamie, have four children: Nicole, Kyra, Zoe and David.