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Football
Edwards, Willie
Willie Edwards
- Title:
- Assistant Head Coach
- Email:
- william_edwards1@brown.edu
- Joined Brown:
- January 2019
- Alma Mater:
- Johnson & Wales University '03
Recruiting Areas: Connecticut, South Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island
Willie Edwards is in his sixth season, seventh year on the Brown coaching staff in 2025, and his third season as the Assistant Head Coach, Football. He joined the Bears' staff prior to the 2019 season as the outside linebackers coach before transitioning to running backs coach prior to the 2021 season.
In 2024, Edwards helped coach Brown’s offense to the No. 1 ranking in the Ivy League in total offense at 421.8 yards per game, and directly coached running back Matt Childs who was voted the Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
In 2023, Edwards helped coach the Bears to their best overall finish since 2015 and their best league record since 2016. Brown’s offense ranked second in the Ivy League in total offense (396.0 yard per game) and helped coach running back All-Ivy Stockton Owen to tie for fifth in the league with eight total touchdowns and tie for fourth in rushing touchdowns with seven.
During the 2021 season, Edwards led a running backs unit that was second in the Ivy League in rushing yards per game (143.7). He also mentored two-time All-Ivy selection Allen Smith, who led the league in all-purpose yards per game in 2021 and led the Ivy with 13 total touchdowns in 2022.
Prior to Brown, Edwards spent eight seasons as the head football coach at Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. As head coach, Edwards compiled a 72-21 record, solidifying the Quakers as a perennial top high school football program in Rhode Island. He led the Quakers to five straight Super Bowl appearances from 2013 to 2017, while winning state championships in 2014 and 2015. His team also compiled an impressive 31-game winning streak from September 2014 to November 2016.
Edwards was named the USA Today Coach of the Year for Rhode Island High School Football in 2014 and earned Coach of the Year honors from the Providence Gridiron Club in 2015. Edwards served as a member of the Rhode Island High School All-Star Team coaching staff from 2010-17, serving as head coach in 2014.
In 2024, Edwards was inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame.
In 2020, Edwards was inducted into the Rhode Island High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. In the summer of 2020, Edwards was selected for a Scouting Apprenticeship with the Los Angeles Rams.
Prior to taking over as head coach in 2011, Edwards was an assistant coach at Moses Brown for six years from 2005-10 working with the running backs and outside linebackers. He also served as the Assistant Athletic Director for five years.
Edwards also spent ten years as a strength & conditioning coach at his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University, from which he graduated in 2003.
Edwards, a Rhode Island native, was a two-time all-state running back at West Warwick High School under legendary coaches Steve Alves Sr. and Ray Dube.
Edwards resides in Warwick with his wife Shera.
COACHING TIMELINE
Willie Edwards is in his sixth season, seventh year on the Brown coaching staff in 2025, and his third season as the Assistant Head Coach, Football. He joined the Bears' staff prior to the 2019 season as the outside linebackers coach before transitioning to running backs coach prior to the 2021 season.
In 2024, Edwards helped coach Brown’s offense to the No. 1 ranking in the Ivy League in total offense at 421.8 yards per game, and directly coached running back Matt Childs who was voted the Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
In 2023, Edwards helped coach the Bears to their best overall finish since 2015 and their best league record since 2016. Brown’s offense ranked second in the Ivy League in total offense (396.0 yard per game) and helped coach running back All-Ivy Stockton Owen to tie for fifth in the league with eight total touchdowns and tie for fourth in rushing touchdowns with seven.
During the 2021 season, Edwards led a running backs unit that was second in the Ivy League in rushing yards per game (143.7). He also mentored two-time All-Ivy selection Allen Smith, who led the league in all-purpose yards per game in 2021 and led the Ivy with 13 total touchdowns in 2022.
Prior to Brown, Edwards spent eight seasons as the head football coach at Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. As head coach, Edwards compiled a 72-21 record, solidifying the Quakers as a perennial top high school football program in Rhode Island. He led the Quakers to five straight Super Bowl appearances from 2013 to 2017, while winning state championships in 2014 and 2015. His team also compiled an impressive 31-game winning streak from September 2014 to November 2016.
Edwards was named the USA Today Coach of the Year for Rhode Island High School Football in 2014 and earned Coach of the Year honors from the Providence Gridiron Club in 2015. Edwards served as a member of the Rhode Island High School All-Star Team coaching staff from 2010-17, serving as head coach in 2014.
In 2024, Edwards was inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame.
In 2020, Edwards was inducted into the Rhode Island High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. In the summer of 2020, Edwards was selected for a Scouting Apprenticeship with the Los Angeles Rams.
Prior to taking over as head coach in 2011, Edwards was an assistant coach at Moses Brown for six years from 2005-10 working with the running backs and outside linebackers. He also served as the Assistant Athletic Director for five years.
Edwards also spent ten years as a strength & conditioning coach at his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University, from which he graduated in 2003.
Edwards, a Rhode Island native, was a two-time all-state running back at West Warwick High School under legendary coaches Steve Alves Sr. and Ray Dube.
Edwards resides in Warwick with his wife Shera.
COACHING TIMELINE
| Season | School/Team | Title |
|---|---|---|
| - | Johnson & Wales | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2005-2010 | Moses Brown School | Assistant Coach |
| 2011-2018 | Moses Brown School | Head Coach |
| 2019-20 | Brown | Assistant Coach, Outside Linebackers |
| 2021-2022 | Brown | Assistant Coach, Running Backs |
| 2023-present | Brown | Assistant Head Coach, Football |
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