Avery Williams is entering his second season as defensive coordinator and sixth as the defensive line coach for 2023. Since joining the Bowie State football program coaching staff, Williams has played a key role in the recent success of the program. The Bulldogs have finished the regular season ranked in the top-25 within the last four seasons, advancing to the CIAA Conference Championship for the past three seasons (2018, 2019, and 2021) while winning in all three appearances. The Bulldogs have also advanced to the NCAA DII Playoffs the last four seasons (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021).
In 2022, Williams had three student-athletes named All-Conference highlighted by Joshua Pryor who was named the 2022 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and D2CCA All-Super Region Two First Team. Pryor led the Bulldogs defense with 47 tackles, registering 10.5 tackle for losses (52-yards), 3.5 sacks (30-yards), eight pressures, two forced fumbles and a pair of breakups last season. Pryor holds the program record for career sacks and ranks second behind head coach
Kyle Jackson in total career tackles. In addition to Pryor, Raymond Boone was selected Second Team All-CIAA and Jadon Carter tabbed a selection on the All-Rookie Team.
During the 2021 season serving as the defensive line coach, Williams played a major role in the Bulldog’s historic season securing a third-consecutive CIAA Conference title while advancing to the NCAA DII Playoffs for the fourth-straight season and the quarterfinals, which is the furthest in program history. Finishing the season with a 12-2 overall mark, the Bulldogs broke the record for most wins in a single season. Williams helped coach a strong defensive unit that finished in the top-10 nationally in multiple categories including: Defensive TDs (1st), Tackles for Loss (1st), Turnovers Gained (2nd), Third Down Defense (2nd), Fumbles Recovered (2nd), Sacks (3rd), Red Zone Defense (4th), Fourth Down Defense (6th), Pass Efficiency Defense (7th), Total Defense (9th), Scoring Defense (11th). Williams coached and developed Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year, BOXTOROW All American, and CIAA all-conference player Jonathan Ross; 2X AFCA All American and CIAA all-conference player Joshua Pryor; and CIAA All Rookie Team Defensive Lineman Joseph Murray. Williams led a defensive line unit that produced 121 TFL’s and 42 Sacks and scored 4 TD’s as a unit in 2021.
In 2019, Williams coached and developed AFCA All American, BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA all-conference player Joshua Pryor; CIAA Freshman Rookie Of The Year Johnathan Ross, CIAA all conference player James Dumas. Williams led a defensive line unit that produced 112 TFL’s and 46 Sacks. In 2019, the Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated (10-0) for the first time in school history and were crowned CIAA Champions for the second-consecutive season. The Bulldogs finished the year with an 11-2 record and ranked in the Top-25 for the third-consecutive season. Williams helped coach a defensive unit that finished in the top-10 nationally in multiple categories including: Interceptions (2nd), Tackles for Loss (2nd), Third Down Defense (4th), Defensive TDs (5th), Red Zone Defense (4th), Sacks (6th), Scoring Defense (7th) and Pass Efficiency Defense (9th).
In 2018, Williams helped lead the program to its first 10-win season; first CIAA conference title and first NCAA playoff win in program history. The Bulldogs defense finished second in the CIAA for passing defense and led the conference in sacks. Williams coached and developed BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA Freshman Rookie of the Year Joshua Pryor, BOXTOROW All-American and CIAA all-conference player Oluwaleke Ajenifuja, and CIAA all-conference player Derrick Tate.
Prior to joining Bowie State, Williams had a successful prep coaching career within the Washington metropolitan area over a sixteen-year span. Williams founded the St. Charles High School football program in Waldorf Md., serving as head coach from 2014 until 2017. Prior to establishing the St. Charles football program, Williams served in many capacities at world-renowned T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria Va. During his tenure at T.C. Williams, Williams served as linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, associate head coach and head coach. Preceding his tenure of coaching at T.C. Williams, Williams coached football, basketball, tennis and was the strength and conditioning coach at powerhouse H.D. Woodson High School in Washington D.C. Williams began his coaching career at Central High School in Prince George's County (Md.) as a defensive assistant in 2002.
Williams is a native of Halifax Va. and 1998 graduate of Emory and Henry College. While attending E & H, Williams earned a Bachelors in Education; competing as a four-year starter as a defensive back and linebacker.
