WAYNE, N.J. – Shaun Williams, a 13-year member of the William Paterson football coaching staff who also spent nine seasons playing in the NFL, has been promoted to the role of head coach of the Pioneers.
 
Williams competed for nine years in the NFL (1998-2006), reaching Super Bowl XXXV as a member of the New York Giants, before joining the Pioneer coaching staff in 2009 as a part-time assistant coach. He was elevated to the full-time position of defensive coordinator in 2013 and has fulfilled those responsibilities for the last nine seasons while working with the team's safeties. Williams served as William Paterson's interim head coach this spring after former head coach Dustin Johnson accepted a position on the Villanova University staff.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead William Paterson University football," Williams said. "I look forward to growing this program and making it the premiere destination for student-athletes to grow personally, academically and athletically. I have been a coach at WP for 13 years and understand the challenges and opportunities that we face. Throughout my time at William Paterson I have become a Pioneer and bleed Black and Orange, and I will build this program on pride and accountability. I want to thank Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Kristen Foley, Vice President for Student Development Dr. Miki Cammarata and Associate Vice President for Student Development Francisco Diaz for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank the alumni who also supported me throughout this process." 

Williams' positive impact on the William Paterson program was immediate, and his willingness to share his knowledge on and off the field has helped 21 Pioneers earn a total of 33 all-conference awards, including 2010 D3football.com first-team all-American cornerback Leer Biddle.
 
"Coach Williams is the perfect fit to lead our football program at this time," Foley stated. "For the past 13 years, his dedication and commitment to WP have proved invaluable as a recruiter and assistant coach who possesses a special ability to relate to and communicate with people. Coach Williams' clear strategy for competitive excellence in the classroom and on the playing field will move us forward to the next chapter of Pioneer Football and we are excited for the future."

Williams was selected 24th overall by the New York Giants in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and worked with the nickel defense and special teams units for two years before moving into a starting role from 2000-02, including Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 when the Giants squared off against the Baltimore Ravens. An injury during the 10th game of the 2003 season, followed by another injury suffered during the second game of the 2004 campaign, limited his action for two years before he recovered to play in eight games for the Giants in 2005 and start 12 times for the Carolina Panthers during his final season in the league in 2006. All told, he had 347 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and three forced fumbles during nine years in the NFL.

Following a standout career at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Calif., Williams was a three-year starter at UCLA. He ranked third on the team with 59 tackles as a junior, earning honorable-mention all-Pac 10 honors, and as a senior he collected two interceptions, nine pass deflections and 68 tackles (second on team) en route to a spot on the All-Pac 10 First Team. Following the culmination of his playing career, Williams completed his bachelor's degree at UCLA in 2011.

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