When you think of Joe Gibbs’ second stint in Washington from 2004-07, the name Gregg Williams frequently comes to mind.
When Gibbs chose to return to the NFL, he wanted a top-notch defensive coordinator, and Williams was among the best in the NFL. Coming off a three-year stint as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, the then-45-year-old Williams was considered one of the best defensive minds in the NFL.
Williams was popular among fans during his four seasons with Washington because his defensive units —outside of 2006 — were some of the best in recent franchise history. Williams was known for his aggressive and attacking style. Unfortunately, like the current Washington team, Williams didn’t always receive much help from the offense.
When Gibbs abruptly retired at the conclusion of an emotional 2007 season, many believed Williams was the ideal replacement. For whatever reason, owner Daniel Snyder and his handpicked stooge, Vinny Cerrato, thought otherwise and somehow came to the conclusion that Jim Zorn was the ideal Gibbs replacement.
No disrespect to Zorn, but that coaching “search” was among the most embarrassing moments of Snyder’s tenure, of which there are plenty.
Williams departed and spent the next 13 seasons going back and forth between different teams as a defensive coordinator and even a stint as the Browns interim coach in 2018. At one point, there was hope among fans that Williams would return to Washington and serve as Jay Gruden’s defensive coordinator, but it never came to fruition.
Williams last coached in the NFL in 2020 with the New York Jets. After spending two seasons out of football, Williams is back — in Washington.
Only this time, Williams is with the D.C. Defenders of the XFL, which begins play this weekend. It’s been a long road for Williams, but he’s glad to be back in Washington.
“I just smiled thinking about getting an opportunity to go back to Washington, D.C., as one of my favorite places I’ve been to,” Williams said, per Jake Russell of The Washington Post. “ It [Washington is] one of the most powerful and fun fan bases that I’ve been a part of,” Williams said.
Unfortunately, Williams is most known by some fans for Bountygate when he was with the Saints from 2009-11. That cost him a year of his coaching career. However, Williams was always popular with his players, who still speak highly of him to this day.
One of the players Williams was closest to was legendary Washington safety Sean Taylor. Williams and Taylor had a close bond in their four years together before Taylor’s tragic death in Nov. 2007.
While Williams could’ve been back in the NFL, this opportunity is ideal for him.
“This is a perfect, perfect setting here to have the entire team be that way,” Williams said. “It brings a smile to my face every single day we get a chance to compete and get better.”
Williams and the Defenders open the 2023 XFL season Sunday at home against the Seattle Sea Dragons.
