Troy loses wide receiver coach to Auburn

The Troy Trojans lost another assistant football coach last week when Auburn announced that it had hired Troy wide receiver coach Cornelius Williams to take over that position with the Tigers.

Williams had been the receivers coach at Troy for the past six years under both Chip Lindsey and Neal Brown. Williams also played receiver at Troy before becoming a coach.

“Cornelius is a great fit for the staff we are assembling,” new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said on the hiring. “He’s a strong teacher of the game on the field and has been developing recruiting ties in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi during his time at Troy.

“As a Birmingham native, and his State of Alabama roots, he understands what Auburn football is all about and the type of player and high character individuals we want to bring in and develop. I’m excited to see his energy and passion for the game guide our wide receiver room.”

Williams coached 14 All-Sun Belt receivers during his Troy coaching career. As a player, Williams was an all-state receiver at Hoover High School before accepting a scholarship at Troy. He caught 63 passes for 764 yards and seven touchdowns during his Trojan career.

After graduating from Troy in 2010, Williams spent time as a graduate assistant at South Alabama and then served as receivers coach at both Murray State in 2011 and North Alabama in 2012 before taking over as receivers coach at Jacksonville State in 2013. He spent 2014 as the receivers coach at UAB before returning to Troy.

“I’m very thankful to Coach Harsin for the opportunity to join his staff at Auburn,” Williams said. “I’m humbled and very appreciative that he believes in me. I know what kind of culture that Coach Harsin wants to build at Auburn with his thought process, attention to detail and desire to work hard.

“I’ve worked with coaches like that in the past and I love that culture and approach. I’m hungry to get to work and continue to grow and develop under his leadership. Growing up in this state, I know Auburn is a special place and I can’t wait to be a part of it and get to work.”

Williams is the third assistant coach Troy has lost this offseason after offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Ryan Pugh and cornerbacks coach Ray Brown both left earlier this offseason.