EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University Board of Trustees on Friday formally approved the appointment of Bobby Williams, longtime assistant football coach at the university, as the Spartans' new head coach.
Williams, the 21st head football coach in MSU history, will make his head coaching debut when the Spartans play the University of Florida in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2000, in Orlando, Fla. He replaces Nick Saban, who announced last week that he was leaving MSU to coach at Louisiana State University.
Bobby Williams has the leadership capacity for the job, and it was very evident during the search process that he has the strong support of many who recognized his strengths as a leader, a manager and a sound football tactician," MSU President Peter McPherson said. "Bobby's selection signals not only stability, unity and continuity, it signals great promise."
Williams, 41, who for 10 years has been running backs coach at MSU, was promoted to the position of associate head coach last February. Prior to joining the Spartans' coaching staff, he was a receivers coach at Kansas (1990) and offensive backfield coach at Eastern Michigan University (1985-89). He served as running backs and defensive backs coach at Ball State in 1983 and '84, respectively, and was a graduate assistant for Purdue coach Leon Burtnett in 1982.
Williams, a native of St. Louis, lettered in football four years at Purdue and graduated with a bachelor's degree in general management in 1982.
"I feel very blessed," Williams said. "This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime, being named head coach of one the best schools, not only in the Big Ten, but in the entire country.
"I have received tremendous support from the administration, faculty, players, coaches, student body and the entire community."
Williams had been named interim head coach after Saban announced his departure last week.</