Speedway

Travis Williams (linebacker)

Travis Williams
Current position
TitleDefensive coordinator
TeamArkansas
ConferenceSEC
Biographical details
Born (1983-01-20) January 20, 1983 (age 42)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
2001–2005Auburn
2007Atlanta Falcons
Position(s)Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2009–2011Auburn (GA)
2012Northern Iowa (LB)
2013Creekside HS (GA) (DC)
2014–2015Auburn (def. analyst)
2016–2018Auburn (LB)
2019–2020Auburn (co-DC/LB)
2021–2022UCF (DC)
2023–presentArkansas (DC)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
  • 2× Second-team All-SEC (2004, 2005)
  • Auburn All-Decade Team
  • Senior Bowl 2006

Travis Williams[1] (born January 20, 1983) is an American football coach and a former linebacker. He is the defensive coordinator for the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since 2023. He played college football for Auburn and professionally for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He also coached for Auburn, Northern Iowa, Creekside High School, and UCF.

Early life

Williams played at Spring Valley High School.

Coaching career

Following his playing career, Williams returned to the Auburn Tigers as a graduate assistant under head coach Gene Chizik in 2009.[2] Chizik was Auburn's defensive coordinator during Williams' collegiate career. Following the 2011 season, Williams left Auburn to coach Northern Iowa as the Linebackers coach. Williams was defensive coordinator at Creekside High School for the 2013 season before returning to Auburn in 2014 as a defensive analyst. Williams was promoted to Auburn's linebacker coach following the 2015 season.[3]

On February 17, 2021, Williams reunited with Gus Malzahn to serve as the defensive coordinator at UCF.[4]

In December 2022, Williams was announced as the new defensive coordinator at Arkansas, replacing the departing Barry Odom.[5] In Williams first years at Arkansas, he helped defense end Landon Jackson have a break out year. In the summer of 2024, Williams went viral for his rapping skills. During Week 4 of that year, he would be given a game ball for his coaching performance in a win against Auburn.

Music career

Williams is also a musician and rapper. He has released many demos and songs including the unofficial pump-up song of the Auburn Football team, "Tiger Walk" [6]