Pro Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons: Detroit Lions 'got a good one' in new DL coach Terrell Williams

LAS VEGAS — The news didn't come as a surprise, not after new Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan went outside the organization to hire his new defense coordinator. But that didn't make it any easier to take.

Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said Thursday he was bummed to learn his longtime position coach Terrell Williams was leaving for a similar job with the Detroit Lions.

“They got a good one," Simmons told the Free Press on Thursday at Super Bowl 58. "They did, man. T been with me since my rookie year when I got in. The thing I most respect about T, the relationship that he builds with his players. He really cares about his players, and guys he coached like (Ndamukong) Suh, other guys he coached will tell you, it’s bigger than football with Coach T. Always asking me about my kids, so it’s an honor to have someone like Coach T."

Williams spent the past six seasons as Titans defensive line coach, where he solidified his reputation as one of the most respected assistants in the game. Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel made Williams his assistant head coach and let him coach a preseason game last season, and Williams served as a head coach in the recently completed Senior Bowl college all-star game.

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The Lions hired Williams as defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach last week, and after Simmons heard the news straight from Williams' mouth, he said he texted his good friend, Lions defensive tackle Benito Jones, to let him know his good fortune.

"I was like, you guys are going to love him," Simmons said. "So I’m excited for him. I was hoping he’d get the DC job, but like I said I'm sure it’s going to be great for him."

A first-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2019, Simmons said Williams has been instrumental in his development as a player. Simmons missed half his rookie season with a torn ACL and had a modest 2020 with three sacks in 15 starts before earning back-to-back second-team All-Pro honors in 2021-22.

Simmons, who had 16 sacks those two seasons, had another strong season this fall, though he was limited to 12 games by injury.

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“From my rookie year up until I just finished Year 5, trust me it’s been a tremendous difference," Simmons said. "We watch film, literally break down all my film for me. Make me a hot folder every offseason, this is what I need to get better at, this is what I need to work on. and like I said, the way I developed over the years, it’s a lot of props to Coach T."

Simmons said Williams' strengths as a coach are his teaching acumen and ability to connect with players. He's not a yeller, Simmons said, but he's able to reach and motivate players from all backgrounds and despite their personalities.

"Coach T don’t yell," Simmons said. "He’s going to tell you his expectations of what he wants you guys to play up front. If you go out there bull-crapping, you’re loafing and stuff, you’re going to hear about it. But one thing about it, man, Sundays, I haven’t met a coach like Coach T on Sundays. He’s one of probably the most chill coaches on the sideline. He’s going to let you know what you need to do, what happened on that drive before. It’s hard to get that from a coach, especially playing our positions. He’s going to let us know the real. You didn’t play the best, you played good, things you need to work on. Like I said, I respect him and always was an honest guy."

Williams coached Lions general manager Brad Holmes in college and worked with Lions head coach Dan Campbell in Miami, and Simmons said there was another draw for Williams to come to Detroit: His son, Tahj, is burgeoning hockey player who'll be able to play a higher level of competition in Michigan.

“Trust me, guys love Coach T," Simmons said. "Like I said, a lot of guys respect that it’s bigger than football."

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jeffery Simmons: 'Guys love' Detroit Lions DL coach Terrell Williams