NASHVILLE, TENN. - The Tennessee Titans hired Gregg Williams as Senior Assistant/Defense.
The NFL informed Williams that he has been reinstated today and provided the following statement for release:
"Commissioner Roger Goodell today notified Gregg Williams and the Tennessee Titans that Williams' contract with the Titans has been approved and that he has been reinstated. The commissioner cited several reasons for the reinstatement, including Williams' forthcoming acknowledgement of and acceptance of responsibility for his role in the bounty program at the Saints, his commitment to never again be involved in a pay-for-performance or bounty system, and his pledge to teach safe play and respect for the rules at all levels of the game. The commissioner emphasized that Williams must fully conform to league rules and will be subject to periodic monitoring to confirm his compliance."
• Photos: Williams' Career
Williams returns to the Titans organization, where he started his NFL career and coached for 11 seasons (1990-2000), including four years as the defensive coordinator. In his final season, the Titans ranked first in the league in defense and second in scoring defense. The Titans tallied 109 total sacks from 1999-2000 and 40 takeaways in 1999. Williams has 23 years of NFL coaching experience, including three years as the Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2001-03. Last year, he was suspended by the NFL for his participation in the bounty program while coaching with the New Orleans Saints.
"I have known Gregg for over two decades and have seen him work his way up from a quality control coach to a head coach," said Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak. "He will bring a great deal of defensive knowledge and energy to our staff. The decision to bring him here only came after going through a thoughtful and thorough process."
Williams' defenses have ranked highly in a variety of categories in his 12 seasons as a defensive coordinator, including top 10 rankings in points (four times), overall yards allowed (four times), rushing yards allowed (six times), third down defense (five times) and red zone defense (seven times).
Williams spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 2009-11. In his first season in New Orleans, the Saints ranked second in the NFL with 39 takeaways and second in the NFL in red zone defense on the way to a Super Bowl title. He joined the Saints after one season as the defensive coordinator at Jacksonville (2008).
As the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins from 2004-07, his units placed in the NFL top 10 in scoring defense twice (2004, 2005) and twice in fewest yards allowed (2004, 2007). The Redskins advanced to the playoffs twice in the four-year period (2005, 2007) under Head Coach Joe Gibbs.
Williams originally joined the Titans/Oilers franchise as a Quality Control coach in 1990. He held that position for three seasons before coaching special teams in 1993. He took over the linebackers for two seasons before becoming the defensive coordinator in 1997.
