Jacksonville State has hired former Maryland defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Brian Williams to lead its defense, a source close to the team confirmed to AL.com.

Williams will replace Vinnie Sunseri, who left to become the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Florida.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports was the first to report the news.

Williams was on staff since 2019 and was hired as the team's defensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 season; he also had stints as outside linebackers coach, defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator before his promotion.

The coach spent three seasons as UAB's linebackers coach (2016-2018) after a season at the University of Georgia as player relations director and two seasons at Florida State as a defensive analyst.