Derrick Williams arrived at Methodist in 2014 as the defensive backs coach. In 2016, Williams was promoted to the role of Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, in the capacity that he currently serves.
During his tenure, Williams has helped establish a Monarch Made culture. He has worked alongside Coach Keven Williams on developing a program that is taking strides in becoming the GOLD STANDARD of Division III college football. Since being promoted to assistant head coach, Williams has helped guide 16 players to all-conference honors, including four on the defensive side of the ball.
During the Spring 2021 season, the Monarch defense earned six All-Conference players. The defense also held opposing offensives to 34.67% on 3rd-down conversions. The 2021 defense returns 11 of 11 starters from the USA South Athletic Conference runner-up team. The group is spearhead by fifth year seniors Khalil Patterson (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Nathan Jones (Cameron, N.C.).
In 2019, Methodist had the top passing defense in the USA South. The Monarchs were also third in the conference with 21 takeaways. In 2018, Methodist's 11 interceptions were tied for third in the conference. In 2017, the Monarchs' 22 takeaways were third in the conference and their 10 fumble recoveries led the league. In 2016, the Methodist defense finished second in the conference in total sacks, and second in total defensive touchdowns. In 2015, Williams helped improve the pass defense in all major categories, while playing a large number of freshmen in the secondary.
Williams began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at NCAA D-III powerhouse, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
In his first six seasons as a college coach, his teams won six consecutive conference championships, and made back-to-back appearances in the D-III national semifinal game where they came up short to the 2012 national champions from Mount Union, followed by the 2013 national champions from Wisconsin-Whitewater. As a unit, the UMHB defense was among the nation’s most opportunistic from 2009-13. Williams finished his coaching career at UMHB with an overall record of 60-6 and American Southwest Conference record of 36-1.
Williams is a 2005 graduate of Temple (Texas) High School. He also is a graduate of Mary Hardin Baylor with a degree in professional studies with a concentration in sports administration. He was a three-year starter and lettered four years at UMHB, where he gained All-America honors following his junior and senior years and all-conference honors following his sophomore through senior seasons at free safety. He also was a part of four straight ASC championships, 2005-08, and back-to-back national semifinal appearances in 2007 and 2008. He finished his career as a D3 All-Decade player for the years of 2000-2010 and tied the school record for career interceptions with 15.
Williams also served as the safeties coach for the USA IFAF National Games in Austria during the summer of 2011. He helped Team USA earn the gold medal with a win over Canada. In the summer of 2018, Williams was also named the Defensive Coordinator for Team USA Development Games held in College Station, Texas.
Williams resides in Fayetteville with his lovely and understanding wife Tenneil Williams, daughters Mya Radsick-Williams, Noelle and beautiful four-legged friend Moxie.
