SMYRNA, Tenn. (WGNS) - There will still be a Coach Williams leading the Smyrna Bulldogs, but now it will be Mark Williams rather than Matt. After 18 seasons of leading the Bulldogs, Matt Williams has decided to retire from coaching. The Shelbyville native and four-time region coach of the year leaves Smyrna as the all-time leader in wins with 121 and guided the Dogs to playoff appearances in 17 of those 18 seasons.

In 2010, Smyrna finished as state runner-up in Class 6A and on two other occasions advanced to the quarterfinal playoff round. Hired by then principal Robert Raikes before the 2008 season, Williams has always represented the toughness and discipline long associated with being a Bulldog. Matt Williams says he is very humbled and honored to have been the head football coach at Smyrna for 18 years, and notes that this was an incredibly tough decision but it is time to accept new challenges.

The good news for Smyrna football is a familiar face will be walking the sidelines for the 2026 season. Mark Williams, younger brother to Matt, will assume the head coaching position beginning immediately. Having served as an assistant at Smyrna from 2008 through 2011 and again from 2019 to the present day, the younger Williams is very familiar with the Bulldog way. In between his two stints at Smyrna, Mark was the head football coach at Gallatin High School. Mark Williams says this is an unbelievable opportunity to continue building on what his brother has been doing for nearly two decades.

Current principal Dr. Sherri Southerland looks forward to Mark continuing that legacy, noting that while the school may be changing one Coach Williams for another, the root system remains the same.

Matt Williams announced he is set to become an assistant principal and athletic director at Rockvale High School.