Veteran Defensive Line Coach Joins Hornets
Emporia State University announced that head coach Garin Higgins has added Jesse Williams to the Hornets' coaching staff as the new defensive line coach. Williams, who has spent more than three decades mentoring defensive fronts at the high school and Division I level, will work alongside Assistant Head Coach Vince Cashdollar and Defensive Coordinator Jace McDown.
Williams' career spans power‑four programs and notable stops at Central Michigan, Tulsa, Eastern Kentucky and the University of Kansas, where he helped shape units that ranked among the nation’s most disruptive. His tenure at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa produced a defense that recorded three shutouts and a 7‑4 record last season.
At Central Michigan, Williams oversaw a line that generated 51 sacks and 150 tackles for loss, while at Tulsa his front limited opponents to just 142.3 rushing yards per game in 2021. He also coached Eastern Kentucky’s Aaron Patrick, an FCS first‑team All‑American and Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
Under his guidance at Kansas, defensive tackle Daniel Wise earned two first‑team All‑Big 12 honors, and a 2016 Ohio defensive line posted 104 tackles for loss and 44 sacks while holding rushers to 104.4 yards per game. Williams has been part of 11 bowl game appearances and is known for developing All‑American talent.
Season Kickoff Details
The Hornets open the 2026 season on August 27 at Minot State in Minot, North Dakota, before hosting Michigan Tech at Jones Field on September 12. The early schedule sets the stage for a competitive year under the new defensive leadership.