A. L. Williams (American football)

Albert Lawrence Williams Jr., known as A. L. Williams, (born March 11, 1934) is a former American football coach and college athletic administrator. He held the position of head football coach at Northwestern State University from 1975 to 1982 and Louisiana Tech University from 1983 to 1986. Throughout his coaching career, he amassed a record of 66–65–1 in college football. Williams also served as the athletic director at Northwestern State from 1978 to 1983.

A. L. Williams
Biographical details
Born (1934-03-11) March 11, 1934 (age 90)
Haynesville, Louisiana, U.S.
Playing career
1953–1956Louisiana Tech
Position(s)Running back, wide receiver, punt returner
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
late 1950sFair Park HS (LA)
1960–1965Woodlawn HS (LA) (assistant)
1966–1973Woodlawn HS (LA)
1974Northwestern State (assistant)
1975–1982Northwestern State
1983–1986Louisiana Tech
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1978–1983Northwestern State
Head coaching record
Overall66–65–1 (college)
Tournaments3–1 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 Southland (1984)
Awards
Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame (2007)

Williams began his coaching career at the high school level, at Fair Park High School and Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. During his tenure at Woodlawn, Williams achieved remarkable success, guiding the team to a commendable record of 64–25. Under his leadership, Woodlawn secured four district titles and clinched the state championship in 1968, with quarterback Joe Ferguson playing a pivotal role. Notably, Williams also had the opportunity to coach Terry Bradshaw during his time at Woodlawn.[1][2]

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NCAA#
Northwestern State Demons (NCAA Division II independent) (1975)
1975 Northwestern State 1–10
Northwestern State Demons (NCAA Division I independent) (1976–1977)
1976 Northwestern State 5–5
1977 Northwestern State 6–5
Northwestern State Demons (NCAA Division I-AA independent) (1978–1982)
1978 Northwestern State 5–6
1979 Northwestern State 3–6
1980 Northwestern State 8–3
1981 Northwestern State 4–6
1982 Northwestern State 6–5
Northwestern State: 38–46
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Southland Conference) (1983–1986)
1983 Louisiana Tech 4–7 2–4 T–5th
1984 Louisiana Tech 10–5 5–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA Championship 9
1985 Louisiana Tech 8–3 4–2 T–2nd 14
1986 Louisiana Tech 6–4–1 3–2 T–2nd
Louisiana Tech: 28–19–1 16–21
Total: 66–65–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Hall of Fame: A.L. Williams". Louisiana Tech University. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. ^ Jimmy Watson (July 25, 2014). "Lee Hedges will have plenty to say about A. L. Williams: Terry Bradshaw says coach was a patient teacher". The Shreveport Times. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.