Jeremy Williams
Greenville High school
Impact Statement
“Any great coach worth his or her salt is always looking forward to the next play. That is how I am wired. Always thinking of the next play.” -Jeremy Williams
Biography
A standout safety at the University of Memphis from 1990-93, Williams has coached at Greenville, a school in a town of fewer than 1,000 people playing in small-school Class A, for the past eight seasons. He has led his teams to a 47-37 record and three state playoff appearances. Pictured below, Williams, #19, was part of one of the greatest upsets in college football history on September 2, 1991 when Memphis State knocked off USC.
So those numbers don’t impress you? Maybe this will: Williams coached the Patriots to a perfect 10-0 regular-season record last fall – they were eliminated by the eventual state champion in the second round of the playoffs to finish 11-1 – after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Riding to practices in a golf cart, sometimes having to lean on his players as he coached, he still inspired Greenville to heights the program hadn’t seen since its last unbeaten season in 1992.
The ABC television series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, rebuilt Williams’ house to accommodate his health issues and those of his 6-year-old son, Jacob, who was born with spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, as well as the Greenville High School field house. Williams was named the Atlanta Falcons’ High School Coach of the Week for Nov. 23, and his was voted Sports Story of the Year for 2009 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Williams continued to coach until his retirement on June 30, 2011. Despite his retirement, coaching is still part of his life. He uses eye-tracking technology. This allows him to communicate via text with coaches, offering advice and tips. He breaks down films that coaches email him and gives feedback.
His wife Jennifer said it best, “although we have adverse circumstances in our life, I think it’s important not to focus on the bad, because we truly do live victorious lives.”
Photos
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Community Service
Coach Williams still remains active in his community. He gives his testimony at local churches, men's conferences and Fellowship of Christian Athletes groups. He also co-leads a Bible study on Wednesday nights at his family's house.
