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Ex-HBCU Coach Serving As Head Coach In Titans' Preseason Opener

Terrell Williams will serve as the Tennessee Titans' head coach in their preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
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Former HBCU football coach, Terrell Williams, will serve as the Tennessee Titans head coach against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, Aug 12.  The Titans' head coach Mike Vrabel announced he would elevate the former North Carolina A&T defensive line coach to lead the team. Williams, 49, has had a 20-year career in football, spanning from college to the NFL.

"I think this is a great opportunity for him, for us, and for everyone involved," Vrabel said to the media. "He'll talk to you after the game, and I'll come back on Sunday," Vrabel added that he'd be around and wanted to give Williams the exposure and experience.

Upon completing his studies at East Carolina University, Williams began his coaching career at Fort Scott Community College, where he coached the team's defensive line.   He later accepted the same post at North Carolina A&T and served as the Aggies' coach from 1999 to 2001.  That started a decade-long stint in the college ranks as a defensive line coach, where the last stop was at Texas A&M before Williams took his talents to the NFL. Williams' became the defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2012 and held the position for two years before accepting the same position with the Miami Dolphins.

He became the Titans' defensive line coach in 2018, and in 2023, he became the associate head coach, overseeing the defense. Vrabel said that while Williams handles head coaching duties, the defensive assistant Clinton McMillan will take care of the defensive line.

Check out the full answer from Mike Vrabel below.

The Titans will visit the Chicago Bears in their NFL Preseason opener at Soldier Field for a 12 PM CT kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 12.