Syracuse edges coach Nick Williams departs for Florida State
Syracuse took another hit to its coaching staff when edges coach Nick Williams left to join Florida State, completing its defensive staff overhaul. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
Support The Daily Orange this holiday season! The money raised between now and the end of the year will go directly toward aiding our students. Donate today.
Syracuse edges coach Nick Williams has agreed to join Florida State’s staff, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Monday morning. Williams spent two years on SU’s staff after stints at Texas A&M and Colorado, among others.
The loss of Williams completes the first phase of a gargantuan overhaul of the Orange’s defensive staff. Defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson was demoted to defensive line coach before leaving for Lane Kiffin’s staff at LSU. Syracuse also fired linebackers coach Robert Wright and secondary coach Joe Schaefer. So far, only Robinson’s role was replaced as the Orange hired Vince Kehres Saturday.
In his two years with SU, Williams struggled to get much production on the pass rush. Syracuse produced seventh-round pick Fadil Diggs in 2024 but finished in the bottom half of the Atlantic Coast Conference in sacks the past two seasons.
The Orange secured three-star edge rusher Jarius Rodgers in their 2026 class, who’s a Florida native. Syracuse will likely attack its edge rush issues through the transfer portal.
