Cadillac Williams ‘grateful’ for stint as interim Auburn coach

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Auburn interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams took the blame for his group’s 49-27 loss to Alabama within the Iron Bowl on Saturday. There have been too many errors, which he stated he was liable for.

However Williams could not assist however look again on the final month since Bryan Harsin’s firing and really feel satisfaction for the best way gamers, coaches and workers responded. Since then, with Williams as interim coach, Auburn went 2-2 with wins over Texas A&M and Western Kentucky.

Williams has participated within the Iron Bowl as a participant with the Tigers and mirrored on including one other chapter in his historical past with the rivalry. Regardless of the end result of the sport, he could not assist feeling overwhelmed by the private achievement of being the primary Black man to function a head coach within the Iron Bowl’s greater than 100-year historical past.

Williams stated he instructed gamers about making historical past the evening earlier than the sport and “it nearly broke me down.”

“We do not dream about being a head coach, to be trustworthy with you,” Williams stated. “For folks after me striving to do these items — plenty of issues in life, should you can see then you’ll be able to try for it and you can begin believing it.

“Fairly cool. Fairly cool. I am very grateful and honored for that. Cannot no one take that away from me, it doesn’t matter what goes on. No person.”

Regardless of Williams’ success because the interim coach, Auburn seems to be trying elsewhere for its subsequent head coach. ESPN reported Saturday that the college is in in talks with Liberty’s Hugh Freeze.

Williams, who can also be the primary Black coach in Auburn historical past, did not handle Freeze or his personal future throughout an emotional 24-minute information convention.

He stated he was “humbled and honored” by the best way gamers responded to him from the time he took over for Harsin. Being embraced by followers and the administration “meant all the things.”

Williams noticed a damaged group within the aftermath of Harsin’s firing. He stated they wanted assist. Gamers weren’t doing what they need to academically, he stated, and that modified nearly instantly.

“These final 4 weeks have been very particular,” he stated. “The longer term is vivid.”