Raiders Hire Veteran Special Teams Coach to Improve Unit

Marquice Williams brings 10 years of NFL coaching experience to the Silver and Black.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Marquice Williams as their new senior assistant-special teams coach. Williams has 10 years of NFL coaching experience, including the past five seasons as the special teams coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. The Raiders are looking to improve their special teams unit, which struggled last season.

Why it matters

Special teams play a crucial role in the game of football, and the Raiders know they need to excel in all three phases - offense, defense, and special teams - if they want to be successful. Hiring an experienced special teams coach like Marquice Williams is a clear sign that the Raiders are committed to upgrading their special teams unit.

The details

Williams has had stints as a special teams coach with the Los Angeles Chargers (2016-17) and Detroit Lions (2019-20) in addition to his time with the Falcons. During his tenure in Atlanta, Williams worked with several standout special teams players, including punter Bradley Pinion, who set the franchise record for punts inside the 20-yard line in a single season, and kicker Younghoe Koo, who earned multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

  • Marquice Williams was named the Raiders' senior assistant-special teams coach on February 20, 2026.

The players

Marquice Williams

A veteran NFL special teams coach with 10 years of experience, including the past five seasons as the special teams coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

Bradley Pinion

The Falcons' punter during Williams' tenure, who set the franchise record for punts inside the 20-yard line in a single season.

Younghoe Koo

The Falcons' kicker during Williams' tenure, who earned multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to hire an experienced special teams coach like Marquice Williams shows their commitment to improving all aspects of their team, not just the offense and defense. Strengthening the special teams unit could be a key factor in the Raiders' success in the upcoming season.