Ryan Williams learned the game of football by playing in a tradition-rich program. Now he’s getting a chance to lead another with similar DNA.

Williams has been named the head football coach, as well as athletics director, at Tallulah Academy. The Vicksburg native and 2006 Warren Central graduate spent the past three years as the offensive coordinator with Tallulah’s football team.

Williams was also Tallulah’s baseball head coach this season and led the team to the MAIS District 3-2A championship and the Class 2A semifinals. He will continue with that job in addition to his other duties.

“I’m excited, and nervous in the same breath,” Williams said. “I look forward to a bright future of Tallulah athletics. We’ve got a great group of girls and boys and we’re ready to compete on all aspects of it.”

Williams will take over as head coach from Bart Wood, who led the Trojans to a 50-21 record and two state championship game appearances in six seasons. Williams said Wood is stepping back from the grind of coaching but would still be with the program.

“Bart just decided to take a step back a little bit. He’s still going to be around,” Williams said. “Great mentor and one of my best friends. I’m very honored to follow in his footsteps. He’s got a great program over here. We talked about that when I first got over here that maybe this was a plan, and it worked out. Having him as a mentor and still a coach is going to be a big blessing for sure.”

Williams played quarterback at Warren Central. His alma mater has always celebrated a long tradition of winning, and so has Tallulah Academy. The Trojans, who play in the MAIS’ eight-man division, have played in six state championship games since 2014. They’ve won three.

“I came from Warren Central, which is built off tradition. I love the Morgans and what that program instilled in me,” Williams said. “That’s one of the things I’m trying to keep going around here, because Tallulah Academy is built on tradition.”

Tallulah finished 7-4 last season and lost in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. Taking the reins of a successful program comes with pressure to keep winning, Williams said, but he’s also trying to keep some bigger goals in mind.

“Every new job, there’s always pressure there. But everybody has been very supportive. The kids have bought in,” Williams said. “Of course we’ve got to win and dominate in sports, but I want to build student-athletes. That’s the overall goal, is to make leaders in this community and the world. That’s the No. 1 plan. We’re going to have a good foundation of leadership and respect and give it all we’ve got every play.”

Before finding his way across the river and into education full-time, Williams worked at International Paper for 14 years as a pipe fitter welder. He started coaching as an assistant at Porter’s Chapel Academy for two years, and then gradually eased into it more and more.

He and his wife Chelsey have four children. Three of them are 7-year-old triplets. He thanked them for their support.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity. Thank my wife and kids for supporting this,” Williams said. “I look forward to the challenge and the adventure. Go Trojans. We’re going to get the thing going.”