By Ryan O’Halloran
Six years later than some expected, Gregg Williams is back in his home state.
In January 2006, days after the Redskins upset Tampa Bay in an NFC wild card game, Williams signed a contract extension to remain as the team’s defensive coordinator.
He spurned the chance to interview for head-coaching opportunities, including St. Louis and Minnesota. The consensus was Williams would eventually replace Joe Gibbs as Redskins coach.
That, of course, didn’t happen. Williams moved on to Jacksonville and then New Orleans.
But in a what-comes-around-goes-around-type situation, Williams is expected to join old friend/boss Jeff Fisher with the Rams on Tuesday. Williams’ contract with New Orleans expired after the playoff loss to San Francisco.
Williams is a native of Exclesior Springs, Mo., and played college football at Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State).
His first shot as a defensive coordinator came in 1997 under Fisher in Tennessee, and the Oilers/Titans finished among the top 10 in total defense six times. Williams went to Buffalo for a rocky three-year stay as head coach before spending four years with the Redskins, one with Jacksonville and three with New Orleans.
The Rams host the Redskins (again) next year.
*Fisher’s choice of the Rams over Miami makes total sense. He has a quarterback (Sam Bradford). He has the No. 2 overall pick (open for auction). He has no general manager yet (can be involved in the process). He has a couple decent defensive pieces (chiefly, Chris Long). And he has an NFC West division that isn’t as scary as the AFC East.
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