Football
- Title:
- Running Backs
- Email Address:
- abw051@shsu.edu
- Alma Mater:
- North Carolina
- Graduation Year:
- 2025
- Phone:
- (936) 294-1735
Antonio Williams enters his second season as Sam Houston’s running backs coach in 2026 after joining head coach Phil Longo’s staff in 2025.
A former NFL running back, Williams brings experience playing at Ohio State and North Carolina, along with professional stops with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and BC Lions. His arrival in Huntsville reunited him with Longo, who served as North Carolina’s offensive coordinator during Williams’ senior season in 2019.
Williams gained early coaching experience at his alma mater, working as a student assistant with North Carolina’s running backs in 2020 while continuing his education.
He signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent time with the organization over two seasons. Williams made an immediate impression in his NFL regular-season debut, rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns against Miami in the final game of the 2020 season. He also appeared in the Bills’ AFC Divisional Playoff victory over Baltimore.
Williams subsequently spent time with the Giants in 2022 before joining the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in 2023.
As a collegiate player, Williams began his career at Ohio State, rushing for 318 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons before transferring to North Carolina in 2018.
He totaled 826 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons with the Tar Heels, adding 18 receptions for 135 yards. As a junior, he started seven games and rushed for 504 yards and five touchdowns. He earned ACC Running Back of the Week recognition after producing 116 rushing yards, a touchdown and 38 receiving yards against Syracuse.
During his senior season, Williams averaged 6.7 yards per carry and helped North Carolina win the Military Bowl, scoring two rushing touchdowns against Temple. He finished his collegiate career with 1,144 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
A native of New London, N.C., Williams was a consensus four-star prospect at North Stanly High School, where he rushed for 7,999 career yards and recorded three consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. He earned his degree from North Carolina in 2025.
