The Williams coaching legacy continues
Jeff and Matt Williams pose for a photo together at Federated Field. Matt, right, joined the Huskies coaching staff this season to team up with his father, Jeff, who has coached for 29 years. Photo courtesy Aaron Guzman Photography
Like his father and grandfather, Matt Williams finds himself coaching football. The 2020 Owatonna High School graduate is an assistant coach with the Huskies.
“I’ve always loved the program. There’s always great people here. And obviously my dad’s father was a coach at John Marshall… I’m just following the family tree,” said Williams.
“I like it all. I love the coaches I get to work with every day. They’re probably the smartest, best coaching staff in the state of Minnesota, in my opinion. And these kids are the best.”
Jeff Williams is in his 29th year after breaking in at his alma mater John Marshall with his father, “Snuffy.” During his Minnesota Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction in April, Jeff said he had a decision to make regarding his future after earning his biology degree.
“I looked at my dad and I said, “Teacher and coach. What a great, great thing that is to become. He was my inspiration to do that,” said Jeff Williams.
Now having his son on the field with him, he stated, “It’s been neat having Matt on staff. I had the chance to coach with my dad for two seasons 35 years ago and to have that come full circle is really rewarding. Matt has stepped in and immediately made an impact with our tight ends and receivers. He has done a great job working with them so far this year.”
Matt says he’s discovered there’s plenty that goes on unseen by players and fans.
“A lot of hours watching film, chalk talk and game planning. There’s a lot of things going on you don’t really see,” he said.
In addition to varsity tight ends and receivers, he is working with the b-squad offense and dabbling in the offensive line schemes.
“I’m still figuring that out a little bit. I like to work with the receivers too, that’s a little bit more up my alley.”
He was a receiver on the Huskies’ 2018 state title team. He is currently student teaching at Medford while finishing up his elementary education and special education degree at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.