ROCKINGHAM — As he enters his 30th year of coaching high school athletics, Richmond Senior High School’s Greg Williams will be on the sidelines of his first East-West All-Star Game next summer as an assistant coach.
Williams, who teaches American History II at the high school and is the assistant head football coach, was selected to join the East team’s coaching staff during the 2020 contest. Held annually each summer since 1949, the East-West game helps showcase the sport’s top football players from across the state.
The head coach for the East team next year is Paul Cornwell from Ayden-Grifton High School (Pitt County, N.C.).
“Obviously, I was excited, but also very humbled,” Williams said of the accomplishment. “It’s an awesome honor to have been selected to coach in North Carolina’s All-Star football game, especially when there are so few assistant coaches who ever get the opportunity. It is very fulfilling to be apart of something so prestigious.”
In the three decades he’s spent on the gridiron, Williams has served in several coaching roles all across the Sandhills. He began his career at Scotland High School in 1990, before moving to Hoke County High School in 1995.
From 2002 through 2014, Williams completed his first stint at Richmond, starting as a varsity assistant coach. He became the Raiders’ wide receivers coach in 2006, a role he still plays today, and was promoted to the varsity team’s offensive coordinator in 2007, which he held until leaving in 2014.
During that span, Williams was a part of the 2008 4AA state championship football team, helping the Raiders to a 12-3-1 overall record. Richmond defeated Jack Britt High School 38-35 in the state title game played at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A two-year gig back at Scotland during the 2015 and 2016 seasons saw Williams leave Richmond, but he returned in 2017 with the hiring of now third-year head coach Bryan Till. To date, Williams has been a part of 12 conference championships and has made 21 playoff appearances.
Williams’ brother, Kris Williams, is also in the coaching and teaching professions, as he helps with the football and bowling programs at Grays Creek High School.
In order to be selected to the East-West coaching staff, Williams had to be nominated by a head coach in the state. Aside from receiving a nomination, coaches must be registered members of the North Carolina Coaches Association.
Williams, who is a registered member, was voted in by the NCCA’s board last week to fulfill the assistant coaching responsibilities. He becomes the first RSHS assistant coach to be named to the East-West game, as the only other Raider coach to participate was former head coach Paul Hoggard (2011).
“It makes me feel special to know that I’ve garnered that much respect from my peers and the Coaches Association over the years,” Williams shared. “I think when you do things the right way, and do things the right way for long enough, that people notice and respect what you’re doing.
“Whether you’re in the classroom or on the practice field, you have to find what works for you because in this profession one size doesn’t fit all,” he added. “Once you find what works with the kids, just keep doing it, improving on it and adapt when needed.”
Williams takes his role on the sidelines seriously, but he also understands his job as an educator comes first. He was named Richmond’s “Teacher of the Year” following the 2010-2011 school year, and has been nominated seven times for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
“It’s a great honor to represent a school like Richmond Senior that has produced so many outstanding players and coaches, and to know that my name will now forever be etched in Raider history,” Williams said.
“I’m happy to have been a small part of the excellent tradition of this school. The relationships you make with players and coaches are what you will remember when it’s all said and done. Hopefully, we’ll be making some special memories this season.”
The Raiders officially kicked off their 2019 season on Thursday, and Williams and company are looking to repeat as the Sandhills Athletic Conference champions. Since his return to Richmond two seasons ago, and under Till, Richmond has gone 18-7 and made a trip to the third round of the 2018 4AA state playoffs.
“I’m really excited to see Coach Williams get this opportunity,” Till said of his colleague. “He’s been coaching for 30 years and has coached multiple positions at a high level. He’s done a fantastic job and coaches with great character. He has definitely earned this.”
The 2020 East-West All-Star Game will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Grimsley High School in Greensboro. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled during halftime.
“I’ve been blessed by the Lord with abilities, great opportunities and wonderful family support over my long career,” Williams said. “To think that I’ve been a state champion football coach, a teacher of the year, and now an all-star game coach — in this profession, it doesn’t get much better than that.
“I want to thank the Lord, my parents, brother, wife, daughters, players, coaches, administrators and anyone else who has supported me during my career,” he closed.
