Richard Williamson (NFL)
Encyclopedia
Richard Williamson was the wide receivers coach
for the Carolina Panthers
until he retired on January 18, 2010, and was the only coach to be with the team since the team was founded in 1995
.
Williamson and his wife, Norma, have two grown children, a son, Rich, and a daughter, Caroline. The Williamsons live in Charlotte, North Carolina
.
under legendary Alabama
coach Bear Bryant
for the 1961 and 1962 seasons. He caught Joe Namath's first touchdown pass at Alabama. Williamson would move over to the coaching staff from 1963–1967, helping the Tide win National Championships for the 1964 and 1965 seasons.
After a two year coaching stay at the University of Arkansas
, Williamson returned to Alabama for 1970-1971 before leaving for Arkansas again (from 1972 to 1974). Williamson then left for Memphis State University
, this time becoming head coach
(1975–1980). Williamson's teams finished 7-4 (1975, 1976), 6-5 (1977), 4-7 (1978), 5-6 (1979), and 2-9 (1980). Williamson was honored with the Southern Independent Conference Coach of the Year award twice.
under new coach John Mackovic
. Williamson rejoined the football ranks in 1987 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, working under fellow former Alabama coach Ray Perkins as offensive coordinator. When Perkins was fired late in the 1990 season
, Williamson was named interim head coach, leading the team to a 1-2 record. Named head coach in 1991
, Williamson went 3-13 before being fired at the end of the season.
Williamson was the receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals
from 1992-1994 under David Shula. Williamson left in 1995 to join the newly-formed Carolina Panthers
as receivers coach. Williamson, as of the 2009 season
, was the last of the original 1995 staff
remaining.
In 2000, Williamson was named assistant head coach under George Seifert
; he was later named offensive coordinator as well, after Bill Musgrave
resigned four games into the season. After the 2001 season, Williamson returned to coachng the receivers under new head coach, John Fox. Williamson developed outstanding wide receivers during his professional career including Muhsin Muhammad
and Steve Smith with the Panthers. Williamson announced his retirement on January 18, 2010, after 15 seasons with the Panthers.
Wide receivers coach
A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
until he retired on January 18, 2010, and was the only coach to be with the team since the team was founded in 1995
1995 in sports
1995 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Alberto Tomba, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:...
.
Williamson and his wife, Norma, have two grown children, a son, Rich, and a daughter, Caroline. The Williamsons live in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
College career
Williamson was a wide receiverWide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
under legendary Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
coach Bear Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
for the 1961 and 1962 seasons. He caught Joe Namath's first touchdown pass at Alabama. Williamson would move over to the coaching staff from 1963–1967, helping the Tide win National Championships for the 1964 and 1965 seasons.
After a two year coaching stay at the University of Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, Williamson returned to Alabama for 1970-1971 before leaving for Arkansas again (from 1972 to 1974). Williamson then left for Memphis State University
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
, this time becoming head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
(1975–1980). Williamson's teams finished 7-4 (1975, 1976), 6-5 (1977), 4-7 (1978), 5-6 (1979), and 2-9 (1980). Williamson was honored with the Southern Independent Conference Coach of the Year award twice.
Pro career
Williamson moved to the pro ranks after being released from the Memphis State job in 1980, moving on to the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
under new coach John Mackovic
John Mackovic
John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...
. Williamson rejoined the football ranks in 1987 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, working under fellow former Alabama coach Ray Perkins as offensive coordinator. When Perkins was fired late in the 1990 season
1990 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 1990 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an embarrassing 5-11 season. Bucs fans were getting tired of head coach Ray Perkins and Bucs players were getting fed up with his 3 a day training camp practices...
, Williamson was named interim head coach, leading the team to a 1-2 record. Named head coach in 1991
1991 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 1991 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 6-10 season. Vinny Testaverde was replaced by Chris Chandler at quarterback early in the season. Reggie Cobb had a three touchdown game late in the season. Testaverde threw almost twice as many interceptions as...
, Williamson went 3-13 before being fired at the end of the season.
Williamson was the receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
from 1992-1994 under David Shula. Williamson left in 1995 to join the newly-formed Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
as receivers coach. Williamson, as of the 2009 season
2009 Carolina Panthers season
The 2009 Carolina Panthers season was the 15th season for the team in the National Football League. They failed to improve on their franchise-record 12–4 season in 2008 and also failed to make the playoffs.-2009 NFL Draft:-Trades:...
, was the last of the original 1995 staff
1995 Carolina Panthers season
-Preseason:-Regular season:-Records:* Most victories by an expansion team * First expansion team to have a winning record at home * First expansion team to have a four game winning streak...
remaining.
In 2000, Williamson was named assistant head coach under George Seifert
George Seifert
George Seifert is a former NFL head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers. Seifert joined the 49ers' coaching staff under Bill Walsh in 1980 as defensive backs coach and served as the team's defensive coordinator from 1983–1988.As a 49er assistant, his defenses finished...
; he was later named offensive coordinator as well, after Bill Musgrave
Bill Musgrave
William Scott Musgrave is an American football coach and former quarterback. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.-Playing career:...
resigned four games into the season. After the 2001 season, Williamson returned to coachng the receivers under new head coach, John Fox. Williamson developed outstanding wide receivers during his professional career including Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad II is a retired American football wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
and Steve Smith with the Panthers. Williamson announced his retirement on January 18, 2010, after 15 seasons with the Panthers.