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Gregg Williams said 4 teams wanted him as head coach and he didn't even have to interview

frank schwab
NFL writer

If you saw “Hard Knocks,” or basically know much about Cleveland Browns interim coach Gregg Williams, you know he’s … colorful.

His comments on Wednesday though, well, they’re something. For reference, Williams coached the Buffalo Bills from 2001-03. He was 17-31 and, until Hue Jackson got fired Monday, hasn’t held another head coaching job.

“Since I left Buffalo, I had 11 letters to interview for [head-coaching] jobs, four of them didn’t even have to interview, just show up and sign the contract,” Williams said, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

OK, Gregg. There are maybe a handful of coaches who would be hired for a head-coaching job without interviewing, and it doesn’t seem like the guy who was 14 games under .500 for the Bills 15 years ago would be one of them.

Gregg Williams has a controversial past

Williams’ promotion to interim coach comes with some controversy. As the league tries to enact more rules to promote player safety, one of its 32 coaches was involved in the infamous New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. When Williams was defensive coordinator of the Saints, he ran a bounty program that rewarded players for injuring opponents. Williams apologized and was suspended for a year.

Williams has served his punishment, and has rehabilitated his image since then. There has been no indication he has done anything like the bounty program he administered early in his career. He shouldn’t be punished for that misstep forever. He just swore a lot on “Hard Knocks,” which isn’t a crime.

The claim that four teams asked him to be their head coach without even interviewing isn’t part of the controversy, it’s just funny.

Internet enjoyed Williams’ claim

The comments on Cabot’s tweet with Williams’ claim are a treasure trove of comedy. Former NFL coach Brian Billick had a good time with Williams’ claim too.

In fairness, Williams didn’t say those were NFL head-coaching offers. Maybe Valley Forge High School outside of Cleveland was looking for a change.

Who knows if Williams will be better in his second chance as a head coach, or even an improvement from Jackson. But he will be entertaining, that much is a guarantee.

Interim Cleveland Browns coach Gregg Williams claims many teams wanted him to be their head coach through the years. (AP)
Interim Cleveland Browns coach Gregg Williams claims many teams wanted him to be their head coach through the years. (AP)

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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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