Keith Williams

Former Husker offensive lineman Keith Williams joined the Nebraska football staff in May of 2022 as the assistant director of player personnel before being promoted to director of player personnel.

Prior to Nebraska, Williams most recently served as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator at Bethel University in Tennessee. His offense ranked among the nation’s most explosive units in 2021. The Wildcats ranked in the top 12 nationally in the NAIA in passing yards (3,422, 5th), passing yards per game (311.1, 7th), total offense (5,037, 9th), total offensive yards per game (457.9, 12th), passing touchdowns (30, 9th), yards per completion (17.4, 3rd) and fourth-down conversion percentage (68 percent, 4th).

Individually, the Bethel offense featured four players ranked among the national leaders. Quarterback Nolan Chowbay ranked in the top five nationally in passing yards (3,232, 2nd), passing yards per game (293.8, 4th) and passing touchdowns (30, 5th). Wide receiver James Dixon, an All-American and the conference Freshman of the Year, was fifth in receiving touchdowns (14), sixth in receiving yards (1,116) and eighth in receiving yards per game (101.5). Running back Deontay Tate ranked top 10 nationally in rushing yards (1,098, 8th) and rushing touchdowns (13, 9th). Wide receiver Dieuly Aristilde also ranked among the national leaders despite playing in only eight games, posting 32 receptions for 768 yards and six touchdowns.

Williams coached H-backs and tight ends during the 2020 season, as well as serving as the head strength and conditioning coach. He helped the Bethel offense rank in the top 20 in passing yards per game and in the top 25 in points per game and third-down conversion percentage. Bethel players made great strides on the field and in their physical development under Williams.

Prior to arriving to Bethel, Williams spent three-and-a-half years at Missouri Baptist University as the program’s offensive coordinator (2018-19), run game coordinator (2017), strength and conditioning coordinator (2017) and equipment manager (2018-19).

Williams’ focused the offensive line and tight ends at Missouri Baptist, and the program set new school records academically and on the field. He helped his players earn six academic all-conference honors, one academic all-district accolade and one Daktronics NAIA Football Scholar Athlete selection. On the field, Williams produced one All-American, nine offensive all-conference selections and had two players rank among the top seven players nationally at their position.

School records also fell during Williams' time at Missouri Baptist. During his tenure the Spartans had their first 1,000-yard rusher and first 1,000-yard receiver in program history. Missouri Baptist also set school records for rushing yards (1,760), passing yards (2,625) and total offensive yards (4,093) in a season.

Before entering the coaching profession, Williams spent time in the NFL as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills organizations. He was a sixth-round pick by the Steelers in the 2011 NFL Draft. Williams also won a championship with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League.

Williams is a native of St. Louis, Mo., and he holds a bachelor of art degree from Nebraska. With the Huskers, Williams played in 50 games with 34 starts. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior in 2010 and was a member of three Big 12 North champion teams.