FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Methodist University President Ben E. Hancock and Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob McEvoy have announced the appointment of Keven Williams as permanent head football coach.
 
Williams, who has served as the acting head coach since the resignation of C.J. Goss in January of 2016, will have the "acting" tag removed and assume the position on a permanent basis.
 
"I am pleased to announce that Keven Williams will become our permanent head football coach starting Dec. 1," said McEvoy. "His immediate focus will be on working with our student-athletes on their academic and athletic goals, recruiting, and evaluating and shaping our coaching staff. Keven is the right man at the right time to lead our football program. He is dedicated and committed to providing a great experience for our football student-athletes during their time at MU."
 
"I am thrilled to continue working as the Head Coach of the Methodist University Football program," Williams said. "Thank you to Dr. Hancock and Coach McEvoy for the opportunity to lead the Methodist University Football program to success and to make our fans proud.  My eight years of experience here at MU have helped mold and shape me into the coach I am today."
 
"Methodist University is excited with the appointment of Keven Williams as our head football coach. He did a marvelous job as acting head coach this past season, and we are excited about the future of our program under his leadership," Hancock said. "Coach Williams possesses the right values to lead our program. He puts the student-athlete first and is committed to the success of our students on and off the football field all the way through graduation."
 
"The MU community is bigger than just one person.  It's not about me, it is about the student-athletes and their success on and off the field," Williams added. "My goal is to continue to teach and model MU's core values and to instill a positive culture so our young men understand their immense worth. I look forward to embarking on this journey with my student-athletes and fellow coaches."
 
Williams has been with the program since 2009 and served as the offensive coordinator from 2011 until his appointment as the acting head coach. He led the offense in 2013 which finished second in the league in total offense (529.0 ypg), second in scoring (40.2 ppg) and third in passing offense (330.4 ypg) en route to a conference co-championship.
 
With Williams on staff, the Monarchs are one of only three USA South teams to boast an overall winning record since 2013 (21-18). The Monarchs finished 3-6 (2-4 USA South) in 2016 and had one game canceled and one game postponed due to Hurricane Matthew.