Travis Williams has been named UCF’s defensive coordinator by new head coach Gus Malzahn on Wednesday.
Spending a short period apart, Williams and Malzahn will be reunited at UCF.
During Williams’ five seasons as linebacker coach under Malzahn, the Tigers ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. The team allowed only 54 rushing TDs — allowing eight in the 2016 season and nine in the 2018 season.
The 2018 Auburn defense ranked No. 14 nationally in scoring defense (19.2) and allowed only nine those rushing touchdowns.
The Tigers ranked in the top 20 nationally in sacks and tackles for loss and were ninth nationally with three interception returns for touchdowns.
In 2017, SEC West champion Auburn ranked No. 14 in the country in total defense (319.4) and No. 12 in scoring defense (18.5). The team allowed just 4.67 yards per play, ranking No. 8 nationally.
In 2016, the Tigers ranked No. 11 in red-zone defense and No. 28 in total defense (361.9), an improvement of 43 spots over the previous season and held eight consecutive opponents without a rushing TD — longest season streak at Auburn since 1957, UCF said in a release.
Williams played for the NFL Atlanta Falcons during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, before beginning his coaching career, UCF said.
- 2008 — Spring Valley High School, South Carolina — Volunteer Assistant Coach
- 2009-11 — Auburn — Graduate Assistant Coach
- 2012 — Northern Iowa — Linebackers
- 2013 — Creekside High School, Georgia— Defensive Coordinator
- 2014-15 — Auburn — Defensive Analyst
- 2016-18 — Auburn — Linebackers
- 2019 — Auburn — Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers
- 2020 Auburn — Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, Recruiting Coordinator
- 2020 — Miami — Linebackers
- 2021 — UCF — Defensive Coordinator
“My family and I are excited to now be a part of the UCF family,” Williams said. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to serve the young men in our program…”
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