Texas receivers coach Charlie Williams addressed the media during a press conference on Monday. Here are the highlights of his media availability:
- Texas coach Charlie Strong mentioned how excited many of his receivers are to work with Williams, who has an NFL background. Many of Strong's players want to play in the NFL, and they believe Williams can help them achieve their dream. However, Williams is not ready to dangle that carrot in front of them. Instead, Williams said it more important for everybody to learn Sterlin Gilbert’s offense, and figure out how to play fast.
- Williams said it did not take long for him to believe he could have an impact in Sterlin Gilbert’s system. Williams said, “It’s a new opportunity when you’re coming from another place, coming from the National Football League to college, or when you’re going from the National Football League to another National Football League team. It’s just a new opportunity. Listening to Sterlin and Matt (Mattox) talk, and watching the film that they presented, you can see it’s going to be exciting once these guys all get it.”
- In addition, Williams described Gilbert’s offense as “very exciting.” He said once the Longhorns are able to play with a lead, it will take pressure off their defense. Since the offense will be spread out, Williams believes it will be hard for defenses to blitz. In the NFL, Williams coached on teams that huddled between plays, but that will not occur at Texas. He starting to become more comfortable with the new offense.
- Williams said he needs to learn the terminology of Gilbert’s system. However, Williams said, “It’s still running routes. It’s still catching the football. It’s still going to score touchdowns. It’s not that much of a difference. It’s just a matter of learning the terminology, and formations they have. Things they call formations we may have called them something different. Other than that, it’s not that big of a deal.”
- Here was Williams’ response when asked if he would miss playing in the NFL: “I enjoyed being in the NFL. I really did. I spent two stints there. I spent 10 years in the NFL ... but I think the college (game) … teaching these guys how to play, and play the way they’re supposed to play. Watching these guys grow as a football player and as a student athlete. Getting these guys graduated so they’re prepared for their next chapter.”
- Williams acknowledged that Gilbert might be the young boss he has worked for, but said nobody on this staff has an ego. Their common goal is to win.
- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Keyshawn Johnson was one of many players who praised Williams after he was hired. Here is what Williams said about his ability to form relationships with players: “First and foremost, you have to understand where they’re coming from. Anytime there is a new coach, it’s a clean slate. Everybody has their opinion about this kid and that kind and the other kid. We always start off on a clean slate, and we go from there. We sit down, we talk, we get to know about one another. I get to know about their family and their background. They get to know about mine, how I coach, what we want to get accomplished. All the little things. We take it one day at a time.”
- Williams is familiar with John Burt. He said Burt is fast and was productive last season. In addition, he said Armanti Foreman was productive: “People have their opinions of Armanti. So far, so good. I think it’s going to be good.” Williams also said there are no starters right now, and he intends to play musical chairs at the receiver position until the opening game against Notre Dame.
- Even though Williams is 58-years-old, said he will bring energy to the team, and refuses to let his players seem him tired. He hits the treadmill and Stairmaster every morning.
- Williams’ main rule for his receivers is they need to catch the football. The other rule is his receivers cannot fumble.
- Former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne taught Williams the most about football, followed by Keyshawn Johnson. Williams intends to show his receivers film of both former players to give them an idea of what it takes to be successful at their position.
- Here is a typical day for Williams at Texas:
He is currently staying at a hotel, so he wakes up and eats the complimentary breakfast every morning.
Williams will attend a staff meeting in the football facility.
After the big meeting, he will attend an offensive staff meeting.
Lunch break (sometimes includes exercise).
Back to meetings until 5 p.m.
Breaks down film individually for hours until he heads back to the hotel.
- In addition, Williams worked from the facility this past weekend. He will work every day until spring break before heading back to Indianapolis.
- Texas coach Charlie Strong mentioned how excited many of his receivers are to work with Williams, who has an NFL background. Many of Strong's players want to play in the NFL, and they believe Williams can help them achieve their dream. However, Williams is not ready to dangle that carrot in front of them. Instead, Williams said it more important for everybody to learn Sterlin Gilbert’s offense, and figure out how to play fast.
- Williams said it did not take long for him to believe he could have an impact in Sterlin Gilbert’s system. Williams said, “It’s a new opportunity when you’re coming from another place, coming from the National Football League to college, or when you’re going from the National Football League to another National Football League team. It’s just a new opportunity. Listening to Sterlin and Matt (Mattox) talk, and watching the film that they presented, you can see it’s going to be exciting once these guys all get it.”
- In addition, Williams described Gilbert’s offense as “very exciting.” He said once the Longhorns are able to play with a lead, it will take pressure off their defense. Since the offense will be spread out, Williams believes it will be hard for defenses to blitz. In the NFL, Williams coached on teams that huddled between plays, but that will not occur at Texas. He starting to become more comfortable with the new offense.
- Williams said he needs to learn the terminology of Gilbert’s system. However, Williams said, “It’s still running routes. It’s still catching the football. It’s still going to score touchdowns. It’s not that much of a difference. It’s just a matter of learning the terminology, and formations they have. Things they call formations we may have called them something different. Other than that, it’s not that big of a deal.”
- Here was Williams’ response when asked if he would miss playing in the NFL: “I enjoyed being in the NFL. I really did. I spent two stints there. I spent 10 years in the NFL ... but I think the college (game) … teaching these guys how to play, and play the way they’re supposed to play. Watching these guys grow as a football player and as a student athlete. Getting these guys graduated so they’re prepared for their next chapter.”
- Williams acknowledged that Gilbert might be the young boss he has worked for, but said nobody on this staff has an ego. Their common goal is to win.
- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Keyshawn Johnson was one of many players who praised Williams after he was hired. Here is what Williams said about his ability to form relationships with players: “First and foremost, you have to understand where they’re coming from. Anytime there is a new coach, it’s a clean slate. Everybody has their opinion about this kid and that kind and the other kid. We always start off on a clean slate, and we go from there. We sit down, we talk, we get to know about one another. I get to know about their family and their background. They get to know about mine, how I coach, what we want to get accomplished. All the little things. We take it one day at a time.”
- Williams is familiar with John Burt. He said Burt is fast and was productive last season. In addition, he said Armanti Foreman was productive: “People have their opinions of Armanti. So far, so good. I think it’s going to be good.” Williams also said there are no starters right now, and he intends to play musical chairs at the receiver position until the opening game against Notre Dame.
- Even though Williams is 58-years-old, said he will bring energy to the team, and refuses to let his players seem him tired. He hits the treadmill and Stairmaster every morning.
- Williams’ main rule for his receivers is they need to catch the football. The other rule is his receivers cannot fumble.
- Former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne taught Williams the most about football, followed by Keyshawn Johnson. Williams intends to show his receivers film of both former players to give them an idea of what it takes to be successful at their position.
- Here is a typical day for Williams at Texas:
He is currently staying at a hotel, so he wakes up and eats the complimentary breakfast every morning.
Williams will attend a staff meeting in the football facility.
After the big meeting, he will attend an offensive staff meeting.
Lunch break (sometimes includes exercise).
Back to meetings until 5 p.m.
Breaks down film individually for hours until he heads back to the hotel.
- In addition, Williams worked from the facility this past weekend. He will work every day until spring break before heading back to Indianapolis.
