Greg Williams, the former NFL coach and longtime defense coordinator, is to head the first batch of XFL assistant coaches, the league announced Wednesday.
Williams will serve as defensive coordinator for Reggie Barlow’s team. Williams, a former manager of the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns who was suspended for a year in 2012 for his role in the Bountygate scandal at the New Orleans Saints, last coached with the New York Jets in 2020.
XFL has yet to announce the names of the teams as it continues to work through negotiations with local markets. It has hired seven defensive coordinators and seven offensive coordinators, with two appointments remaining for its eight teams. Two offensive coordinators — Jon Jones and Jonathan Hayes — served as head coaches for the XFL during the 2020 season. Other notable names among the coaching staff include former college coach and NFL assistant Ron Zuk, former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, and defense coordinator. Longtime NFL Brian Stewart and Hayes’ brother, Jay.
Wednesday’s announcement also included player managers for each team. Under the XFL structure, these managers will collaborate with the lead coaches on the final staff decisions. Coaches will have the final say on match day rosters.
Four directors have worked with XFL in 2020: Randy Muller, Joey Klinkscales, Dave Poehler and Will Lewis. The XFL will begin hosting player shows this summer. Its regular season will open on February 18, 2023, as part of an exclusive broadcast agreement with ESPN and Disney.
Here are the full team organizations announced Wednesday:
Coach: Reggie Barlow
Personnel Affairs: von Hutchins
OC/RB: Fred Case
Capital: Greg Williams
Coach: Anthony Bisht
Personnel Affairs: Dave Boller
OC: Bruce Gradkowski
Capital: Nathaniel “Donnie” Abraham
Coach: Terrell Buckley
Personnel Affairs: Larry Lee
OC: Robert Ford
Capital: Tony Carter
Coach: Jim Haslett
Personnel Affairs: Randy Muller
OC: June Jones
Capital: Ron Zuk
Coach: Phillips Valley
Personnel Affairs: Mark Lilybridge
OC: AJ Smith
Capital: Brian Stewart
Coach: Bob Stops
Personnel Affairs: Rick Muller
OC: Jonathan Hayes
Capital: Jay Hayes
Coach: Heinz Ward
Personnel Affairs: Will Lewis
OC: Jaime Elizondo
Capital: Jim Hermann
Coach: Rod Woodson
Personnel Affairs: Joy Kleenexcalis
OC: To be announced
Capital: To be announced