By KYLE ROBERTS, Lincoln Parish Journal

RUSTON — After departing the Ruston High sidelines nearly a year ago, Ruston native and 13-year NFL veteran Kyle Williams will be returning to the Bearcats coaching staff for the 2026 season.

The Lincoln Parish Journal confirmed the impending move Monday.

Williams spent the last year as the defensive line coach at LSU under then-head coach Brian Kelly. Although the Tigers’ defensive line play was not one of the team’s liabilities, as the season ended it became apparent Williams wasn’t staying on the new staff.

He previously served as defensive coordinator for the Bearcats from 2020-2024 following his retirement after a stellar career with the Buffalo Bills. He played in six Pro Bowls and was a 2022 inductee in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

“I’m very excited to have him back,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “On a personal level, we have become really good friends. I told him when they decided to come back, selfishly, it had ended up hurting me more as a friend than a coach when he left (last year). I’ll just be happy personally that he’s back, and the kids will be excited, as well.

“We’re working on ironing out logistics (staff-wise), but just being able to get him back is the biggest part. He and (current defensive coordinator Marcus) Yanez have already been talking about how to work together moving forward.”

Baugh said that the current staff was told Monday morning in a coaches meeting.

Williams will serve as both Assistant Athletics Director and Assistant Head Coach. Yanez will remain Defensive Coordinator.

During that previous tenure, Ruston made three state championship games and won the 2023 Division I Non-Select state title. Under his defensive tutelage, Jadon Mayfield was named the LSWA 5A State Defensive Player of the year.

Williams was an All-Stater in his Ruston High playing days before starring at LSU.

Contact Kyle at lpjnewsla@gmail.com

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