After six years as athletic director at Kennesaw State, Vaughn Williams is headed back to Boston College.
Boston College athletic director Martin Jarmond announced that Williams accepted the role of senior associate athletic director for administration on Tuesday afternoon, approximately two weeks after his conversations with the Eagles began.
“Martin gave me a call. We talked for a little bit. I've known him for quite some time, and I see what he wanted to do with his vision. ... I thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up to assist him and serve him and help him give back to the BC community that I know,” Williams said.
Before talking it over with his wife and “best friend” Eileen, 10-year-old Aidan and 8-year-old twins Austin and Lacey, Williams said he traveled to Chestnut Hill in late June to discuss the position and become reacquainted with the campus.
After serving as Boston College’s assistant athletic director for operations and facilities from 1998-2004, Williams and his family were eager to return to the Northeast, where Williams met Eileen and played college football at the University of Massachusetts. The Williamses also have extended family and close friends in New York and Vaughn Williams’ native New Jersey who will be more frequently visited after the family moves this summer.
"I think family always has influence, you know,” Williams said. “I think it was a no-brainer in regard to understanding it's a great community in which we live, but it's a great opportunity. It'll be great to get back to Boston College again."
Although he’s moving on from Kennesaw State for the opportunity to “serve at a higher level” in the ACC, every word Williams spoke Tuesday about his new job was accompanied by hints of sorrow.
From what Williams said, the entire Williams family will miss the KSU community, fans, athletes, coaches and colleagues.
“I think all I want them to know is, and I say this to our student-athletes all the time, 'Owl for life,'” Williams said. “I'll always be indebted to Kennesaw State for giving me the opportunity to do so much and to learn so much, and I couldn't have this Boston College opportunity without Kennesaw State."
During his tenure at Kennesaw State, Williams played an essential role in the launch of the Owls’ Division I football program, the signing of a long-term apparel deal with Adidas and, most recently, striking a deal with the Atlanta Braves to host a football game in SunTrust Park in 2018.
“Vaughn’s efforts on behalf of Kennesaw State University athletics have been nothing short of remarkable,” Kennesaw State President Sam Olens said in a statement. “He has been instrumental in taking the program to the next level, has been a tireless leader and booster for our coaches, our student-athletes and for the entire university. We wish him great success in his new role.”
Since Williams took over as athletic director in 2011, the Owls have won 20 conference championships and made 23 appearances in NCAA postseason play. Williams also served on the NCAA Division I council, the NCAA legislative subcommittee and began working on the NIT selection committee in 2016.
Williams last official day as Kennesaw State athletic director will be July 28. The university is working on the announcement of an interim athletic director and a successor to Williams.
"I'm going to miss the Owl family,” Williams said. “We pride ourselves on being a family, and this is like leaving the nest, so to speak. ... There's a lot of people that I'm going to be forever friends with, and I'm going to miss the relationships that we gotten to build so much."
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