University of San Francisco athletic director and former NFL player Larry Williams died on Thursday. He was 62.
Williams, who had guided the Dons’ athletic department since 2022, died during a workout at a campus gym.
“Our prayers go out to Larry’s wife, Laura, their children, Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis, their families, and his grandchildren,” university president Salvador Aceves wrote in a letter to the USF community. “My thoughts and prayers also go to the university’s 250 student-athletes and all of the coaches and staff under Larry’s skillful watch.”
A two-time All-American offensive lineman at Notre Dame, Williams was a 10th-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1985.
He played in 61 NFL games (44 starts) with the Browns (1986-88), New Orleans Saints (1991) and New England Patriots (1992).
Williams served as the athletic director at the University of Portland (2004-11), Marquette (2012-13) and Akron (2015-21) before taking over at San Francisco.
Deputy athletic director Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins was named the interim AD.
