James Williams joined the Alabama State University football staff in 2022 and is entering his third season with the Hornets.
Williams was promoted to Associated Head Football Coach in July of 2023 coaches the corner backs and also serves as ASU's NFL Liason.
In 2023, ASU led the SWAC in scoring defense 14.5 (2nd FCS), and ranked second in total defense (281.9 (3rd FCS), passing yards allowed (181.0/10th FCS), rush defense and (100.9/9th FCS). The Hornets were third in the SWAC in fumbles removed (11/10th FCS and fourth in turnovers gained (22).
The postseason awards saw three Hornets were named to the All-SWAC teams and two defensive u . Colton Adams was named to the first team while Treqwan Thomas and Mikey Victory was earned All-SWAC 2nd Team honors. Colton Adams and Mikey Victory nabbed All-American Honors with Adams being named FCS Football Central's Defensive Player of the Year while Victor was an Aeneas Williams Finalist was later signed by the New England Patriots.
In 2022, the Hornets ranked second in the SWAC in interceptions (14) and third total defense (313.9), rush defense (126.6) and pass defense (187.2) and Adrian Maddox was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top freshman in FCS.
Williams joined the staff after a stint as the President of Huddle Up, NFL Former Player’s Association Houston Chapter (2016-18). He also spent time as the Treasurer of the NFL Former Player’s Association, Houston Chapter (2014-15) following his playing career.
No stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Williams played collegiately at Texas Southern as both a running back and defensive back. He totaled 13 career interceptions and 138 total tackles on his way to earning a nod for Texas Southern Hall of Fame (2015).
Following his collegiate career, he went on to play for three different teams in the NFL including Indianapolis (1992) following his time at Texas Southern. He also spent time with Houston and the New York Giants before landing in NFL Europe. He played from 1995-97 for the Scottish Claymores, helping the team to the World Championship in 1996.
After his playing career, Williams spent time in the banking industry, while also founding Fight 4 Me, Inc. (in Houston and Memphis). The organization is a non-profit that assisted young men, ages 12-17, that lived in underserved areas to develop character, vision, and life skills. He also assisted youth in matriculation into college and assisted over 100 men in securing collegiate scholarships over a five-year period.
He has served as a guest professor (Memphis, 2021), was the 2017 City of Houston Humanitarian Award recipient, has served as part of the Wells Fargo National Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, and was a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity.
