Marquice Williams is set to begin his fourth season with the Coyotes, third as defensive line coach and first as head of special teams. He served as outside linebackers coach in 2012 and worked with a group that included MVFC Defensive Player of the Year and current Atlanta Falcon, Tyler Starr. In 2013, he helped coordinate a front seven that led the MVFC in both sacks (39) and tackles-for-loss (85).
Williams earned his associates degree from Fresno City College in his hometown of Fresno, Calif., in 2005 and earned his bachelor's degree in university studies from University of Mary (N.D.) in 2008. He was a standout defensive back at both institutions.
Williams was a two-year starter and earned academic all-conference honors at Fresno City. He moved to Bismarck, N.D., to play for Mary defensive coordinator Jason Petrino, who now serves as USD's defensive coordinator. Williams was a first-team all-conference and all-region honoree in 2007 and was part of a Marauder defense that led the conference in pass defense at fewer than 200 yards per game.
Prior to the 2010 college football season, Williams received an invitation from Petrino to be his linebacker's coach at Winona State. By that time, Williams had received his degree from Mary and was furthering his education in the field of physical therapy. Williams accepted the offer and joined the coaching ranks at Winona State where he added assistant special teams coordinator to his list of titles.
Williams and Petrino went to Central Oklahoma in 2011. Petrino remained in his role as defensive coordinator. Williams remained linebackers coach and was also the technology and video coordinator. The duo arrived in Vermillion in 2012.
In the summer of 2013, the Chicago Bears selected Williams as one of five to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship, a program that gives talented minority coaches opportunities to observe, participate and gain experience while striving to obtain a full-time NFL coaching position. Williams worked closely alongside assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis and was on staff for Family Day at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Williams was invited back to Chicago in the summer of 2014 and served as a Coaching Intern with the Bears from May through June. He continued his work with DeCamillis, broke down opponent's game film, produced scouting reports and coached and prepped the special teams units. Williams will work with the Detroit Lions in the summer of 2015.
In February of 2014, Williams was selected to attend the NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy in Phoenix, Ariz. The Academy served to enhance development in leadership, management and the administrative aspects of coaching. Williams received training in social media, crisis management and budgeting, among various other skills.
Williams and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters, Elliana and Aubrey.
