Ex-Bears coach Alan Williams seen for first time since resignation

Publish date: 2024-07-15

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Alan Williams looked somber Friday in the first photos of the former Bears defensive coordinator following his mysterious Wednesday resignation.

Williams emerged outside his home Friday, and was seen speaking with an unidentified man in photos obtained by The Post.

The 53-year-old Williams, who wore a long-sleeve shirt and jeans with a Nike hat, appeared to be involved in a serious conversation with someone near a vehicle.

Williams emerged two days after he resigned from the Bears, citing health and family issues following nearly a week away from the team.

“I was with him four years, five years. I have a lot of friendship, feelings for him. He’s resigned and it’s for health and family, and we’ll see where it goes from there. I have feelings for Alan Williams, of course,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Friday.

Alan Williams speaks with a man at his home on Sept. 21, 2023,
the day after his resignation as defensive coordinator of the Bears. J.Daniel Hud/ZumaPress.com
Alan Williams speaks with a man at his home on Sept. 22, 2023,
two days after his resignation as defensive coordinator of the Bears. J.Daniel Hud/ZumaPress.com

Ebertflus added that the issue that motivated Williams’ resignation is “personal” and “people are respecting space and respecting that.”

The situation took a turn when social media posts claimed the FBI had raided Williams’ home and the Bears’ facility, Halas Hall.

Alan Williams speaks with a man at his home on Sept. 22, 2023,
two days after his resignation as defensive coordinator of the Bears. J.Daniel Hud/ZumaPress.com

The Bears denied that the facility and Williams’ home were raided. 

“I don’t have many details to add there. Halas Hall being raided is completely false. Don’t know where that came from,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Thursday. “We’ve worked with [team president] Kevin [Warren] and [team chairman] George [McCaskey] and all our leadership to make sure we were handling it the right way, and everything concluded yesterday.”

Alan Williams speaks with a man at his home on Sept. 22, 2023, two days after his resignation as defensive coordinator of the Bears. J.Daniel Hud/ZumaPress.com

Williams’ attorney, Andrew M. Stroth denied that either the team facility or his client’s home had been raided, and told 670 the Score on Wednesday that there was “absolutely no criminal activity” involved.

“There’s no criminal allegations,” he said. “There’s been no raid on Halas Hall. None of that is true — unequivocally, [those rumors are] untrue … There’s no legal actions being taken against coach Williams.

Alan Williams speaks with a man at his home on Sept. 22, 2023,
two days after his resignation as defensive coordinator of the Bears. J.Daniel Hud/ZumaPress.com

“Coach Williams has a health challenge and he has some personal family matters, and he has decided with his family that he’s going to step away. … With much respect to the Chicago Bears, he decided to take a step back.”

In his resignation statement, Williams expressed a desire to one day return to the NFL coaching ranks, saying “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history.”

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on August 26, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images
Former Beard defensive coordinator Alan Williams Bears looks on against the Bills during the first half of a preseason game at Soldier Field. Getty Images

Williams has worked as a defensive coach in the NFL since 2001 with the Buccaneers, Colts, Vikings, Lions and Colts, and joined the Bears in 2022.

The Bears (0-2) will visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (1-1) on Sunday and Eberflus is expected to take over the defensive play-calling.

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