The 2026 season will be William Henry’s first season as the Defensive Coordinator & Safeties Coach at UAM. Prior to this season, Henry spent five seasons at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL where he was the Defensive Coordinator during the ’23, ’24, & ’25 seasons.
In 2025, SEU’s defense was 4th in the Nation during the regular season & 1st in the Sun Conference in Opponent Scoring (12.9) per game, led the conference in Opponents’ Red Zone Scoring Percentage (72.4%), led the conference in Opponent 4th Down Conversion Percentage (34.8%), led the conference in sacks (28), and shut out two of its opponents. Following the season, 7 members of the defense were named to the All-Conference team, 2 players were named to the NAIA All-America team, and 1 player won the Cliff Harris Award, which is given annually to the top Defensive Player in the nation.
In 2024, SEU’s defense was 2nd in the Nation & 1st in the Sun Conference in Points Allowed (9.6) per game, 13th in the Nation & 1st in the conference in Total Yards Allowed (277) per game, 5th in the Nation & 1st in the conference in Opponents’ Red Zone Scoring Percentage (61.9%), and shutout three of its opponents. Following the season, 7 members of the defense were named to the All-Conference team, 1 player was named to the NAIA All-America team, and Henry was named the conference’s Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2022, he served as Special Teams Coordinator and coached the Cornerbacks. During that season, SEU’s Punt team was 1st in the Sun Conference & 2nd in the nation in Net Yards per Punt. The Kickoff team was 1st in the Sun Conference in Net Yards per Kickoff. This season, SEU also ranked 14th in the nation in Passing Yards Allowed.
In the Fall of 2021, when Henry coached the Cornerbacks and Safeties, two of the starting Defensive Backs were named All-Conference and a third was named Freshman Defensive Player of the Year for the Conference. Southeastern finished that season as Conference Co-Champs.
In the Fall of 2024, Henry was selected to coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during rookie camp as part of the Buccaneers’ Inaugural National Coaching Academy, in which was trained in every aspect of the franchise’s operations. In addition to receiving organizational training, he helped on the defensive side of the ball as he interned with the safeties. From January through May of 2021, Henry coached the abbreviated post-COVID Spring season at Stetson University, where he coached the Cornerbacks. Prior to that, he spent the COVID year as the Defensive Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.
Henry spent the 2019 season as the Tight Ends and Fullbacks Coach at Valdosta State University. VSU went undefeated during the regular season en route to clinching the Gulf South Conference Championship. Valdosta finished the season ranked #6 in the nation in Total Offense and in the top ten in the nation in 4 other offensive categories. Valdosta also finished #1 in the Gulf South Conference in 7 offensive categories.
Prior to VSU, Henry was an offensive analyst with the Running Backs at Samford University from July 2018 – March 2019. In March 2019, he was promoted to Interim Running Backs Coach, and from April 2019-July 2019, he served as Co-Wide Receivers Coach. In 2018, Samford finished the season ranked #4 in the nation in Total Offense, #1 in Passing Offense and Completion Percentage, and #1 in the SOCON in 7 offensive categories.
In 2016, Henry was selected to coach with the Washington Commanders during training camp as part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Fellowship. While there, he helped on the offensive side of the ball as he interned with the running backs. Before making the jump to the collegiate level, Henry spent 16 years coaching mostly defensive backs, running backs, and wide receivers at various high schools in Tennessee. In those 16 years, Henry was part of staffs that won 5 state championships and won 44 games in a row at one point. He also spent 8 years coaching track and field, where he had athletes qualify for the state meet each year.
Henry played collegiately at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where he was a 2-time All-Conference selection in football at Strong Safety (1999 & 2000) and tallied 10 All-Conference performances in track & field in the 100m Dash, 200m Dash, 4x100m Relay, & 4x400m Relay from 1998-2001, where he also set the school and conference record in the 100m Dash. In 2022, he was inducted into Rhodes College’s Haygood Athletics Hall of Fame.
Henry played football and competed in track and field at Riverdale High School in TN, where he was a member of an undefeated state championship winning football team that was ranked #9 in the nation by USA Today in 1994 and played in 3 state championship games in 4 years. He also competed in the state track meet in three of his four years. William has been married to his wife, Rania, since 2021.
Coaching History:
2026: University of Arkansas-Monticello – Defensive Coordinator, Safeties
2024 (Rookie Camp): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (National Coaching Academy Coaching Fellowship, Training Camp) – Safeties
Fall 2021 – 2025: Southeastern University – Defensive Coordinator (’23-’25) Special Teams Coordinator (’22), Defensive Backs
2021 (Spring): Stetson University – Cornerbacks
2020: Fort Scott Community College – Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Backs
2019: Valdosta State University – Tight Ends & Fullbacks
2018: Samford University – Offensive Analyst (Running Backs), Interim Running Backs, Co-Wide Receivers
2016-2017: Riverdale High School (TN) – Defensive Backs, Special Teams Coordinator
2016 (Training Camp): Washington Redskins (Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, Training Camp) – Running Backs
2013-2015: Siegel High School (TN) – Defensive Backs, Wide Receivers
2006-2012: Alcoa High School (TN) – Running Backs
2003-05: Munford High School (TN) – Defensive Backs, Running Backs, Tight Ends
2002: Kirby High School (TN) – Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Co-Offensive Line
