NASHVILLE – Terrell Williams doesn't anticipate being nervous.
The NFL coaching veteran has been around long enough he feels like he'll be prepared for what's ahead on Saturday.
"I definitely don't have butterflies, trust me," Williams said with a smile on Thursday. "I am excited for the football team. … If I have any butterflies, it is not for me, it is because I want to see how some of these guys who haven't played in a pro football game, I'll be more concerned about them. I'll be fine."
What's ahead on Saturday is a big opportunity for the defensive line coach, who was promoted to Assistant Head Coach this offseason. Earlier this week, Titans coach Mike Vrabel told Williams he'll be handing off head coaching duties for the Titans preseason opener on Saturday in Chicago to Williams.
The emotions Williams feels as a result is thankfulness, and gratitude.
"I think Mike Vrabel deserves a lot of credit," Williams said. "He deserves a lot of credit, not just for doing this for me, but around the league hopefully more coaches will give assistant coaches opportunities to do this.
"There's nothing better than getting the experience."
Vrabel plans to travel to Chicago and be at the game to help the team prepare, but Williams will handle operational duties. Defensive assistant Clinton McMillan will handle the defensive line.
Williams joined the Titans as defensive line coach in 2018, and this offseason, he was promoted to assistant head coach.
Prior to joining the Titans, Williams coached defensive linemen with the Raiders (2012-2014) and Dolphins (2015-2017) in the NFL. Williams worked at Texas A&M, Purdue, Akron, Youngstown State, North Carolina A&T and Fort Scott CC at the college ranks before landing in the NFL.
Williams made it clear he'd love to be a head coach one day himself.
"Absolutely," he said. "If I didn't, then when he asked me to do this I would have said, 'Heck no." I'd love to be a head coach."
Williams will act as the head coach on Friday in team meetings, and a lot will be on his plate on Saturday, starting in pre-game.
Williams will also handle the post-game press conference in Chicago.
He'll be ready for everything.
"I have been through a lot in my life – it takes a lot to overwhelm me," Williams said. "You just roll with the punches. Vrabes has kind of gone over what gameday is going to be like – he's gone over everything that I need to be prepared for. I'm sure some things are going to come up … but as these things come up, you figure it out. And that is why you have good coaches around you, because you can't do everything. We'll figure it out.
"I am just excited about the opportunity."
