Longtime Troy University Athletic Director Johnny Williams passes away

By Josh Boutwell

On Feb. 4, longtime Troy University Athletics Director Johnny Williams passed away after a battle with leukemia.

A Tuscaloosa native, Williams played college football at North Alabama, earning All-Conference honors as a defensive lineman, and coached at both the high school and college level in Alabama. He went on to serve seven years as defensive coordinator at Troy University, leading the Troy defense that won the 1987 Division II National Championship.

Williams’ legacy will most be remembered, though, for his time as Athletic Director at Troy. Williams was named Athletic Director in 1994 and was instrumental in Troy’s move to Division I Athletics.

“Johnny Williams was the most positive person I have ever met, and his ‘can-do’ attitude was contagious,” Troy Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., said. “I met Johnny in 1989; he was the defensive coordinator for our football team. In 1994, when I asked him to serve as athletics director, it was an unprecedented move, for seldom do coaches rise from a coordinator slot to the head of a department. But Johnny was different. 

“He assumed responsibility during a critical period in (Troy University’s) athletic program. He helped guide us from Division II to the highest level of NCAA football. He served as Athletic Director from 1994 until 2004. Throughout that period, we won 28 conference championships and became a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Johnny Williams helped establish the foundation we enjoy today. In 2016, we inducted him into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, and following his retirement, he led the Central Alabama Sports Commission, and it was his leadership that brought college bowls to the River Region. We express our condolences to his wife, Robin, and to his entire family. All remain very special to Troy University.”

During Williams’ guidance as athletic director, the Trojans won 28 conference championships in football, baseball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, men’s golf, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and both men’s and women’s track and field. Williams also oversaw Troy Football’s move from Division I-AA (FCS) to Division I-A (FBS).

“Johnny was a real asset to Troy University during his tenure as athletic director,” Beard said. “He guided Troy from Division II to Division I-AA and completed the move to Division I, which was a tremendous boost for the university. 

“He oversaw the expansion at (Veterans) Memorial Stadium to its current capacity in order to meet the requirements of the Division I move and he was a great promoter of Troy University and remains so to this day. He was a good friend and will be sorely missed by all.” 

After serving a decade as Troy University Athletics Director, Williams spent three years as the Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Alabama before founding Creative Marketing Management in 2007. Williams returned to football in 2013 as the executive director of the Raycom Football All-Star Classic, a game that he would help guide into becoming the Camellia Bowl (now known as the Montgomery’s Salute to Veterans Bowl).

“Johnny knew exactly what we needed and knew where we were trying to go,” legendary Troy Coach Larry Blakeney previously said of Williams’ relationship with the coaches. “He knew how much work and how much money it would take for us to compete, and he did everything in his power to make us successful.

“I’ve always said this about Johnny, if you feel bad call Johnny, because he will brighten your day up. He is very positive and that is something that is paramount in this business. There was never a time that I went to him with an issue and he didn’t listen and try and satisfy what we thought our needs were.”

Williams was inducted into the Troy University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also named to North Alabama Football’s Team of the Decade for the 1970s.

“Johnny Williams was a pioneer in collegiate athletics and was instrumental in so many positive moments for not only Troy Athletics but the entire collegiate sports landscape,” Troy Athletics Director Brent Jones said. “I had the honor of serving with him on the Board of Directors for the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, which has been a tremendous partner to the Sun Belt, our state and the River Region. Johnny was a giant among men, and he will be missed immensely by everyone who knew him.”

Visitation will take place on Monday, Feb. 10, at Cross Pointe Church in Tuscaloosa from 10 a.m. until noon with the funeral service to follow.