Coach P weighs in
Ken Woods
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Sports
Head football coach Don Patterson coached Jason Williams throughout his time at Western Illinois and shared his thoughts about Williams potentially becoming a NFL player.
Williams has performed on the field but has also avoided any trouble outside the sidelines, and Patterson feels he has to continue to do so in order to have longevity in the National Football League.
"Jason has always made good decisions off the field," Patterson said. "I would tell him that it is important not to lose perspective and to be on guard for people who don't have as much to lose as you. He has to continue to make good choices and not do anything that may jeopardize his career."
While Williams was at Western, he was a finalist for the Buchanan Award twice and also an All-American for two-consecutive years. He has made big plays for the 'Necks on the field and holds the record for most forced fumbles in a career with 14.
"I think Jason will be a playmaker at the next level," Patterson said. "He generates big plays and turnovers. He has the potential for sacks and tackles for loss much like he did for us."
Patterson has spoken with several scouts and teams that have evaluated Williams, but there is still no clear consensus as to what round he will get taken in.
"It's a tough call. The scouts, even though some of them are my friends, are very guarded with that information," Patterson said. "It's like a big poker game with those guys. They don't want to reveal too much because another team might want him, so it is tough to tell who is the most interested or where he will go."
Williams has played multiple positions for the Leathernecks, including running back and safety. The coaching staff found the ideal fit for Williams and now he will stay put at the next level. This gives the coaches a sense of pride.
"It feels good and it reinforces that we can develop our players," Patterson said. "He was a superior athlete and we found his best position, which gives me a sense of satisfaction. He deserves a lot of the credit as well as our defensive coordinator Tom Casey and our strength and conditioning coach Chris Anderson. They help put him in a position to play on Sunday."
Williams has the chance to join a list of Leathernecks in the NFL that includes Rodney Harrison, Mike Scifres, Edgerton Hartwell and Aaron Stecker. Patterson has coached all of the aforementioned players.
Williams has performed on the field but has also avoided any trouble outside the sidelines, and Patterson feels he has to continue to do so in order to have longevity in the National Football League.
"Jason has always made good decisions off the field," Patterson said. "I would tell him that it is important not to lose perspective and to be on guard for people who don't have as much to lose as you. He has to continue to make good choices and not do anything that may jeopardize his career."
While Williams was at Western, he was a finalist for the Buchanan Award twice and also an All-American for two-consecutive years. He has made big plays for the 'Necks on the field and holds the record for most forced fumbles in a career with 14.
"I think Jason will be a playmaker at the next level," Patterson said. "He generates big plays and turnovers. He has the potential for sacks and tackles for loss much like he did for us."
Patterson has spoken with several scouts and teams that have evaluated Williams, but there is still no clear consensus as to what round he will get taken in.
"It's a tough call. The scouts, even though some of them are my friends, are very guarded with that information," Patterson said. "It's like a big poker game with those guys. They don't want to reveal too much because another team might want him, so it is tough to tell who is the most interested or where he will go."
Williams has played multiple positions for the Leathernecks, including running back and safety. The coaching staff found the ideal fit for Williams and now he will stay put at the next level. This gives the coaches a sense of pride.
"It feels good and it reinforces that we can develop our players," Patterson said. "He was a superior athlete and we found his best position, which gives me a sense of satisfaction. He deserves a lot of the credit as well as our defensive coordinator Tom Casey and our strength and conditioning coach Chris Anderson. They help put him in a position to play on Sunday."
Williams has the chance to join a list of Leathernecks in the NFL that includes Rodney Harrison, Mike Scifres, Edgerton Hartwell and Aaron Stecker. Patterson has coached all of the aforementioned players.
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