VYPE’s “Fresh Faces” series introduces new head football coaches in the Austin area.
New Del Valle Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator Colin Williams finds himself in a glass-half-full, glass-half-empty situation.
On the half-empty side, he knows there’s little margin for error when competing for a playoff spot against perennial powers Westlake, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs. On the half-full side, Williams believes he can replicate the success he enjoyed as Austin LBJ’s offensive coordinator, where his high-powered attack helped the Jaguars finish the 2024 season as the No. 2-ranked 4A Division I squad in the final AP poll.
“My expectations are to compete at a high level, lay the foundation and culture, and give our community something to be proud of going forward,” says Williams, a 37-year-old native of Corpus Christi.
After starring at Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Williams played college ball at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. His coaching résumé includes stops at Grambling State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and high school programs at Alice, Robert G. Cole, Robstown, and most recently LBJ.
Despite Del Valle’s upgraded facilities and strong community support, Williams inherits a program that hasn’t posted a winning season since Courtney Wash led the Cardinals to a 9-2 record in 2009. Last year, under Todd Patmon, Del Valle finished 3-7 overall and 1-5 in District 26-6A.
As the district’s big three aim to remain dominant, the other contenders—especially Austin High and Bowie, but also Akins—continue to battle Del Valle for the fourth and final playoff spot. Williams believes his team can be the one to break through.
“I was attracted to Del Valle largely because of the community, tradition, and pride the people here have in themselves. It’s inspiring and contagious,” Williams says. “Our players know the goal we’ve set and understand that in order to reach it, we have to fight for and earn what we want. We won’t be given any handouts.”
For Williams and the Cardinals, the glass will be as full—or as empty—as they make it.
