Former Grambling State's Star Quarterback Leaves New Orleans Saints Staff To Join The Atlanta Falcons
HOUSTON — Newly hired Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is busy extending offers to former HBCU star quarterbacks to oversee his signal-callers. Prairie View A&M alumnus K.J. Black has joined the Falcons as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach. Previously, he worked with the Los Angeles Rams as an offensive assistant coach under head coach Sean McVay. Ironically, Morris and McVay were on Mike Shanahan's staff in Washington.
Today, columnist Rod Walker posted a report that former New Orleans Saints offensive assistant D.J. Williams has accepted a position within the quarterbacks room at the Falcons.
DJ Williams; Credit: New Orleans Saints
D.J. Williams, the son of Doug Williams — Super Bowl XXII MVP and Grambling State University great — has moved from New Orleans to Atlanta. Doug Williams confirmed with HBCU Legends his son's new position with the Falcons. Despite the Saints' desire to retain D.J. Williams in a different offensive coaching capacity, he wanted to continue coaching quarterbacks with the Falcons.
The two HBCU greats will be able to groom Desmond Ridder or a new quarterback for the upcoming 2024 NFL regular season.
After graduating from Grambling in 2014, D.J. Williams had several tryouts with professional teams. Fortunately, in 2017, the Saints allowed him to learn and observe while he assisted the club's coaching staff during training camp, coaches, and football operations in the 2018 season.
Then, Saints head coach Sean Payton offered Williams an opportunity to become an offensive assistant, where he remained for five seasons.
Williams was the quarterbacks' coach at the 2023 Senior Bowl and guided the National Team to win the college all-star football event.
From 2019-21 and 2023, he participated in the NFL/Black College Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Coaching Summit from 2019-21 and 2023.
Feb 19, 2022; New Orleans, LA; HBCU Legacy Bowl co-founders Doug Williams and James "Shack" Harris. Credit:© Kyle A. Mosley-HBCU Legends
Doug Williams is preparing for the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl Week in New Orleans. The event kicks off on Monday, Feb. 19 with the NFL's HBCU Combine to be held at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. On Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 PM CT, the game will be held at Yulman Stadium on Tulane University's campus.