FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams is brimming with energy.
Since a press conference is scheduled for 6:10 p.m., he arrives in the room five minutes early and makes sure to personally greet every reporter and television reporter in the room before taking his seat at the podium.
“You didn’t have to wait long today,” Williams said before the press conference began. “I didn’t even shower. So how about this?”
Whether or not this is a little dig at his fellow assistants who have a fairly consistent habit of showing up late to press conferences (Petrino not included), it’s just the latest example of the excitement Williams has brought to the Razorbacks’ defense in his second year as the Razorbacks’ defensive coordinator.
When he came to Arkansas, Williams inherited a mess. Arkansas allowed 469.5 yards per game in 2022, which ranked last in the SEC and 124th out of 131 teams in FBS football. In just one season, he improved that mark to just 357.2 yards per game, good for 8th in the SEC.
The players also enjoy playing for Williams. His defensive unit has praised the coordinator’s consistent energy throughout fall camp.
“The way he engages us as a group, as a linebacker group and as a whole defense,” linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. said. “I think he really brings that factor that sets him apart. When he comes in there, we’re excited to work, man, even if we’re not that excited. Going through training camp, we might be tired, but he still brings that energy, man, and that motivates us to go out there and do our best because we see him come in every day and do his best.”
Even players outside of Williams’ position group can feel the passion from afar.
“Just the energy,” said defensive end Anton Juncaj. “All his tactics. I just love his defense.”
That energy is also radiating all the way to the top. Coach Sam Pittman is excited about the progress Williams has made and is expecting a great year.
“Our defensive players are excited to see the difference they made last year with coach Williams and his staff,” Pittman said. “The second year should be better than the first, right? There is so much energy and excitement you can feel it in the air.”
Williams has already made a name for himself, garnering national attention with his rap video and the ecstatic response when he landed a new recruit. It’s all part of a brand Williams is slowly starting to build since joining an SEC program.
LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGE!!!!!!!!!🐗🐗🐗 pic.twitter.com/VbOhhLquiX
— Coach T-Will (@T_WILL4REAL) July 2, 2024
All coaches also decided to stay and Williams was able to keep all of his assistants on defense, which has a positive effect on the field and leads to the defense establishing itself more quickly.
“It’s an incredible difference because you don’t have to re-teach it,” Williams said. “Even though these guys have been training for over 20 years, they’re different systems. You don’t teach something new and say, ‘Okay, this is how I like it,’ and they had a different way. Like, ‘No, this is how we do it. Everyone agrees on exactly how we want to do it.'”
There are advantages off the field, too. Williams’ wife Jeanine is expecting a child on September 14th. His colleagues on defense have been helping with all the baby preparations, including the baby shower, while Williams focuses on football.
Coincidentally, the baby’s due date coincides with Arkansas’ first home game against UAB. When asked if he had thought about what he would do if the baby arrived on game day, Williams got straight to the point.
“I’ve been thinking about it. I’m going to figure it out and put it in the Lord’s hands.”
– Travis Williams.
Fans have just seven days left before they can see Williams’ team in action in their first game against UAPB on August 29. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m.
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