Former Crew Defender Josh Williams Joins First-Team Coaching Staff

Williams spent 12 seasons playing for the Columbus Crew before retiring in 2023.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former Columbus Crew defender and two-time MLS Cup champion Josh Williams has joined the first-team coaching staff after spending a year as an assistant coach for the club's MLS NEXT Pro team, Crew 2.

Why it matters

Williams is a beloved figure in the Columbus soccer community, having spent the majority of his 15-year MLS career with the Crew. His promotion to the first-team coaching staff is seen as a positive move that will help bridge the gap between the club's development system and the senior squad.

The details

Williams was hired to join his former teammate Federico Higuain's coaching staff at the MLS NEXT Pro level less than two years after retiring as a player in 2023. Under the leadership of Williams and Higuain, Crew 2 had a 5-17-6 record last season. The addition of Williams brings the total of assistant coaches under Henrik Rydstrom to three, including former Crew 2 head coach Laurent Courtois.

  • Williams joined the Crew's coaching staff in February 2026.
  • Williams retired as a player in 2023 after 15 years in MLS, including 12 seasons with the Crew.
  • Williams was hired as an assistant coach for Crew 2 in 2024, less than two years after retiring.

The players

Josh Williams

A former Columbus Crew defender and two-time MLS Cup champion who spent 12 seasons with the club before retiring in 2023. He is now joining the Crew's first-team coaching staff after a year as an assistant coach for the club's MLS NEXT Pro team.

Henrik Rydstrom

The current head coach of the Columbus Crew's first team.

Federico Higuain

A former teammate of Williams and the current head coach of the Columbus Crew's MLS NEXT Pro team, Crew 2.

Laurent Courtois

The former head coach of the Columbus Crew's MLS NEXT Pro team, Crew 2, who is now an assistant coach under Rydstrom.

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What they’re saying

“Columbus has had an incredible impact on my life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to contribute to this special club.”

— Josh Williams (The Columbus Dispatch)

“I started to feel the juices flowing, to feel an itch. If soccer [coaching] is what I'm going to do next, I know the type of time commitment that would take.”

— Josh Williams (The Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

The Crew will look to Williams to help bridge the gap between the club's development system and the first team as they aim to build on their success in 2025.

The takeaway

Williams' promotion to the Crew's first-team coaching staff is a testament to his deep connection to the club and the city of Columbus. His experience as both a player and a coach at the MLS NEXT Pro level will be invaluable as the Crew look to continue developing young talent and maintaining their status as one of the top teams in MLS.