INDIANAPOLIS – One year ago, Greg Williams coached under John Pagano.
Now, he's on the staff with another Pagano.
Chuck Pagano hired Williams this offseason to lead the Colts secondary.
How Williams got his start into the coaching world is a great story involving youth YMCA basketball out in Arizona.
Get to know new Defensive Backs Coach Greg Williams:
Describe your journey to Indianapolis
"It actually started with Arizona State in 2003. That was my first coaching gig, a voluntary coaching situation. Then I left there and ended up coaching at the College of DuPage Junior College in the Chicago area. Then I took a job at Arkansas Tech University, where I became the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator for two years. I left Arkansas Tech and was a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh for one year. After the one year at Pitt, I got an assistant linebackers job with the Chargers. Then was with San Diego since (2009)."Most memorable moment in football
"(Long pause) As far as coaching goes, it was probably my first year in the league with San Diego. We went 13-3. I went to the playoffs. I went from GA-ing at Pitt to sitting in a box in a playoff game. That was probably the biggest highlight."When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
"I was actually living in Arizona. I was playing Arena Football at the time. I was bored. I came out of the mall. There was a thing on my car for the YMCA. They were looking for kids to sign up for youth basketball. Then it said they wanted coaches as well. I was like, 'I've got nothing to do.' I went over there and coached a 9, 10 and 11-year old basketball team at the 'Y' in Tempe, Arizona. After I did that, I said, 'I found what I wanted to do.' I still have the plaque of the team picture at home."Favorite part about coaching
"The relationships you make. Not just with the players, but with the other coaches."Describe your coaching style
"Respectful. The one thing I try to stay straight lined with is, I just try to be respectful with everything I do, whether it's criticizing, whether it's giving praise. Whatever I do, I just try to be respectful with everybody."Who was your biggest influence growing up?
"My uncle. He was just a major father figure. He wore many hats in our family and that was something that I always looked up to."Favorite hobby
"Just spending time with my kids."Favorite food
"Steak."Favorite movie
"It's tough. It's between: Coming to America, Troy, 300. If they come on, I watch them every single time."Favorite music/genre
"I like R&B, hip/hop and rap."Favorite quote
"'When you're good at something, you'll tell everyone. When you're great at something, they'll tell you,' Walter Payton (Williams' idol)."Favorite place you've traveled
"I'd say Amsterdam. I played in NFL Europe for two years."Why Indianapolis?
"Obviously the connections. I knew Chuck because I worked with his brother, John (in San Diego). That was probably the main connection I had here. When I found out that Ted (Monachino) got the coordinator job, everything kind of fell into place. I worked with (Rob Chudzinski) in San Diego. There were just a lot of connections. (Vice President of Football Operations) Jimmy Raye III was a San Diego guy. When I came on my interview, there were so many familiar faces. It was not awkward being here at all. Obviously it turned out to be a good situation."Favorite Spot/Part about Indy/Colts
"I haven't even been around yet (laughs). My favorite part so far is there's an indoor playground for kids in Zionsville, right off I-65. My kids love it. You can just let them run crazy."What do you want to see out of your defensive backs?
"I want us to be very competitive, first off. But I want everybody to see the togetherness in our play style. If you can see the togetherness in our play style, we are doing something right."Family
Wife: Valarie. Sons: Junior David and Dominic.
