Former Detroit Lions coach Terrell Williams will join the New England Patriots at the Super Bowl after stepping away early this fall to be treated for prostate cancer.
In 2024, Williams spent about a year
as defensive running game coordinator and defensive line coach before he was hired by the Patriots as defensive coordinator in January 2025. Sadly, head coach Mike Vrabel announced in September that Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer and would be stepping away.
“I unfortunately have to tell you that Terrell Williams was determined to have prostate cancer, and is in the process of treatment and meeting with specialists and figuring out the best plan of attack to be able to attack this and heal it and fix it and allow him to get back to better healthy,” Vrabel said at the time. “You know how much Terrell means to me personally and to the people on this football team. So, again, we want to send our regards and publicly let everybody know that’s what he’s dealing with.”
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr took over calling plays for New England in his absence. Vrabel announced Thursday that since leaving about five months ago, Williams is “doing well” and will be making the trip to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX as the Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks.
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs called Williams a “road warrior” and said his attendance means a lot to the team.
Though he spent just one season coaching the Lions, he made a big impact on many players. Head coach Dan Campbell called him a “highly intelligent” coach, who understands his players’ personalities.
“Like, to watch him—he treated every player different, man. Some guys he prodded, some guys he loved up, some guys he would just simply walk and whisper in their ear and then watch ‘em go, like, he’s got a knack about understanding how to make people go, and not everybody’s the same, so, unbelievable dude, unbelievable human being, great teacher,” Campbell said of Williams back during last year’s owners meetings.
And onto the rest of your notes.
- Once hoping to play in it himself, Lions offensive assistant Marques Tuiasosopo is down in Alabama coaching the Senior Bowl American Team quarterbacks.
- More from the Detroit Free Press—Dave has spent some time speaking with Lions draft prospects at the Senior Bowl.
- Ahmed Hassanein is getting in some intense looking offseason workouts.
- A belated happy birthday to the GOAT.
