BHS alumnus Nick Williams named FSU\u2019s edge coach<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 10, 2025<\/p>\n
Florida State University\u2019s football program has hired Bainbridge High School alumnus Nick Williams to be its new edge coach. Williams is expected to work alongside FSU defensive line coach Terrance Knighton.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coming off two seasons at Syracuse University, Williams thanked coach Fran Brown for welcoming him onto the Syracuse staff in a message posted<\/a> to X. <\/p>\n \u201cI would like to thank Coach Fran for the opportunity to be a part of your staff. It was truly a blessing,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams also praised Syracuse assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson for his support.<\/p>\n Williams\u2019 time at Syracuse included coaching standout Fadil Diggs, an All-ACC performer who later heard his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft in the seventh round.\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams\u2019 debut year at Syracuse saw him play a key role in guiding the Orange to a 10-3 campaign and a spot among the nation\u2019s top 20 in the final AP poll.<\/p>\n His coaching journey has taken him through the University of Georgia, Texas A&M University, the University of Colorado, and Syracuse, building a reputation for shaping edge defenders and strengthening recruiting efforts at the highest level of college football. As part of Deion Sanders\u2019 first staff at Colorado in 2023, Williams took charge of the Buffaloes\u2019 defensive line.\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams said his time at Syracuse has taught him memories, relationships, and lessons that will carry on for the rest of his life.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI thank each and every player that trusted me, listened to me, and allowed me to pour into you day after day,\u201d he said. \u201cYou showed up. You put in the work. You embraced the standard and grew.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams completed his prep career at Bainbridge High School in Georgia, graduating in 2008. He contributed as both a quarterback and a linebacker, totaling 2,428 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Recruiting analysts rated him highly, with Rivals<\/a> placing him 35th nationally at outside linebacker.\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams\u2019 path to coaching began on the field. He played at Georgia from 2008-10, appearing in 32 games at safety and linebacker before transferring to North Alabama. By 2017, he was back in Athens as a student assistant and was later promoted to graduate assistant in 2019.<\/p>\n During his time at Georgia, Williams earned recognition for his recruiting work, and being a key architect behind the recruitment and coaching of NFL stars: first-rounders Travon Walker, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Devonte Wyatt.<\/p>\n Williams also had his fingerprints on the recruitments of Kelee Ringo, Lewis Cine, and Bainbridge\u2019s five-star, Deyon \u201cSmoke\u201d Bouie.<\/p>\n His recruiting prowess carried him to Texas A&M in 2021, where he helped the Aggies sign the nation\u2019s top-ranked class in 2022.<\/p>\n Working in tandem with Robinson, Williams was instrumental in Texas A&M\u2019s successful recruitment of five-star defensive lineman David Hicks, who chose the Aggies over the University of Oklahoma and the University of Oregon before signing as the top-ranked player at his position out of Paetow High School in Katy, TX. <\/p>\n