Auburn, Ala.— Former Auburn All-American Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams has been named running backs coach at Auburn, Gus Malzahn announced Wednesday. Williams helped lead Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004 while earning All-America honors that year. The 2005 NFL Rookie of the Year, Williams had a seven-year NFL career before entering the coaching ranks.
"I'm ecstatic, super excited and humbled to have the opportunity to return home to Auburn and coach at a place that helped me become the man I am today," Williams said. "I'm very grateful and appreciative of Coach Malzahn, the staff and the Auburn administration for this opportunity. Words can't explain the emotions I had when I received the offer from Coach Malzahn.
The 'Lac is BACK!
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 23, 2019
Welcome home @CoachCaddy24!
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"One of the main reasons I got into coaching was to give back and serve others. I want to help players reach their ultimate goal and steer them the right way on and off the field. I'm not sure there's a better place I can do that than at Auburn, where I'm forever indebted. I'm excited to get to work. I can't wait to meet the players and staff, get involved in the community and help get Auburn to the championship level year in and year out that we know we are capable of."
A native of Gadsden, Alabama, and product of Etowah High School, Williams finished his Auburn career (2001-04) with 3,831 yards on 741 attempts with 45 touchdowns. He broke the Auburn career record of most running attempts, passing Joe Cribbs, and most touchdowns scored, passing Bo Jackson, while finishing second in total rushing yards and all-purpose yards.
The 2004 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, Williams received nine SEC Player of the Week honors in his career, while helping Auburn to a 37-14 record and three SEC Western Division titles.
"Carnell Williams is one of Auburn's all-time greats and we're excited to welcome him home," Malzahn said. "Cadillac is a great fit for our program. He understands and cares deeply for this university and the Auburn football program, while bringing a great knowledge of the game. He knows first-hand what it takes to be a successful running back at the highest level and has a tremendous work ethic. We're glad to have him at Auburn and know he will be a great coach and mentor to our running backs."
The fifth pick overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams was named the NFL Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies in rushing yards with 1,178, while posting six 100-yard rushing games in 14 starts. Williams spent six seasons with Tampa Bay before spending his final season in 2011 with the St. Louis Rams.
After being slowed by injuries for several years, Williams was narrowly edged for the AP 2009 Comeback Player of the Year Award by Tom Brady, finishing second after rushing for 821 yards on 210 carries with a 3.9 average and four touchdowns during the 2009 season. Williams finished his NFL career with 4,038 yards with 21 touchdowns and 148 receptions for 1,002 yards and four scores.
Williams' coaching career started at Henderson State in 2015 where he served as the running backs coach. After a stint at the University of West Georgia in 2016, Williams was the running backs coach for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for two season (2017-18). Williams most recently served as the running backs coach for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
Williams graduated from Auburn in December 2014. He and his wife Evan Williams have two boys: Cole (4) and Cuinn (2).