Gill Announces Changes To Defensive Coaching Staff

Fred Reed promoted to defensive coordinator

Turner Gill

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo head football coach Turner Gill has announced several changes to his defensive coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jimmy Williams will not return next year, while defensive secondary coach Fred Reed has been elevated to defensive coordinator. In addition, defensive tackles coach Vantz Singletary has recently accepted a position as inside linebackers coach with the San Francisco 49ers.

“Jimmy Williams’ contract was not renewed for 2009,” said Gill. “We appreciate his assistance in helping us win a MAC Championship and we hope the best for he and his family in their future endeavors.”

Williams has been on the Bulls’ staff since 2006 when Coach Gill came to Buffalo.

Reed, meanwhile, just completed his first season with Buffalo after spending the previous two seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. He has 15 years of coaching experience overall and has been a defensive coordinator previously, helping the University of Nebraska-Omaha to Top 25 rankings, and a conference championship in 2004.

“Coach Reed’s experience in the NFL and having been a coordinator previously, as well as his year here, have proven his abilities,” said Gill. “In addition, he has shown that he has a great relationship with our players., therefore, I believe that he was the best person to help us move this program forward.“

This past season, Reed’s defensive secondary was extremely productive as both safeties – Mike Newton and Davonte Shannon – earned a plethora of post-season honors, while several others (Domonic Cook, Sherrod Lott and Josh Thomas) had career-best seasons.

Singletary’s move to the 49ers marked the fourth Buffalo coach in the Gill era to have moved from UB on to the NFL.

The Bulls are in the process of hiring two defensive coaches to fill those vacancies.