The Cincinnati Bengals are in the middle of their spring workouts, and a familiar face has arrived recently to help out.
Former wide receiver Damion Willis is lending a hand as part of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship program.
Willis, who started two games for the Bengals in 2019, is currently an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University. He is currently serving as the Eagles’ inside receivers coach.
The Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship program is an NFL vocational program designed to increase
the number of minority coaches in the league. Established in 1987, it allows talented former players and minority coaches from the high school, college, and semi-professional levels to observe, participate, and gain hands-on experience during offseason programs and training camps, per the league’s website.
Walsh, one of the greatest NFL head coaches in league history, began his career in Cincinnati after a brief stint with the then-Oakland Raiders. Walsh joined the Bengals when they joined the league in 1968 and stayed until his resignation in 1975 after being passed over for the team’s head coaching job for Bill “Tiger” Johnson. Walsh made his way to the 49ers in 1979 and won three Super Bowls—two at the Bengals’ expense.
Willis, on the other hand, was an undrafted free agent out of Troy and had an outstanding preseason with the Bengals in Zac Taylor’s first season as the team’s head coach. His summer performance and an unfortunate injury to A.J. Green on the first day of training camp that year paved the way for Willis to not only make the final roster but also start the Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks.
After bouncing on and off the Bengals’ active roster throughout 2019, Willis was waived the following summer. He then had stints with the Browns, Jaguars, Broncos, Giants, Washington, and Pittsburgh before getting looks at the XFL/USFL/UFL.
Willis stepped away from playing in 2024 and got a shot at coaching as a graduate assistant at Georgia Southern the same year. He was promoted to his current coaching position in 2025.
The former Bengals receiver is working with one of the best position groups in the league. Headlined by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, a number of other talented players are under his watch this month.
