Raiders Hire Marquise Williams as Senior Special Teams Coach

The former Falcons special teams coordinator joins the Raiders' coaching staff.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 4:15am

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The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Marquise Williams as their new senior special teams coach. Williams, 40, previously served as the special teams coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2025 under head coaches Arthur Smith and Raheem Morris. He has also held assistant coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, and Chicago Bears.

Why it matters

The Raiders are looking to improve their special teams unit after a disappointing 2025 season. Williams brings valuable experience and a track record of success from his time with the Falcons, and his hire signals the team's commitment to upgrading this critical phase of the game.

The details

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Williams has agreed to join the Raiders as their senior special teams coach. He will be tasked with overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the team's special teams units, including kickoff and punt coverage, return teams, and field goal/extra point operations.

  • Williams served as the Falcons' special teams coordinator from 2021 to 2025.

The players

Marquise Williams

A 40-year-old coach who has previously worked as a special teams coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and held assistant coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, and Chicago Bears.

Las Vegas Raiders

An NFL team based in Las Vegas, Nevada that is looking to improve their special teams unit after a disappointing 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“The Raiders have made another hire for their coaching staff.”

— Tom Pelissero, NFL Media reporter

What’s next

The Raiders will look to Williams to help turn around their special teams unit and provide a boost to the team's overall performance in the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The hiring of Marquise Williams as the Raiders' senior special teams coach is a clear indication that the team is prioritizing the improvement of this critical phase of the game as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.