Larry Williams, ex-NFLer and USF athletic director, dead at 62

Former NFL offensive lineman and University of San Francisco athletic director Larry Williams died Thursday at the age of 62 while working out at a campus gym, the school announced.

Williams had been working out at the school’s War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center at the time of his death, according to the university.

He played five seasons in the NFL from 1986-92 after earning two All-American honors while starring for Notre Dame.

“Our prayers go out to Larry’s wife, Laura, their children, Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis, their families, and his grandchildren,” University of San Francisco president Salvador D. Aceves said in a release.

“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.”

Williams, a California native, played for preps powerhouse Mater Dei before heading to South Bend.

The Browns drafted him in the 10th round of the 1985 NFL Draft and he played for the franchise from 1986-88, appearing in 42 games while starting 33 contests.

He missed the 1989 and 1990 seasons due to injury before returning to partake in six games with the Saints in 1991 and then suited up for 13 games (nine starts) with the Patriots in his last season in 1992.

Williams appeared in 61 games with 44 career starts.

He earned a law degree during while he played and transitioned to law after his NFL career ended before returning to Notre Dame in 1999 for licensing and product marketing, per his school biography.

The University of Portland hired him to serve as its athletic director in 2004 before he filled that role for Marquette and Akron. San Francisco then hired him in 2022.

Stephanie Shrive-Hawkins has been named the school’s interim athletic director.

“‘USF represents to me the almost perfect combination of things I cherish. No. 1, it’s the Catholic identity. No. 2, it’s the deep educational mission,’” Williams said after being hired, per the school. “‘And No. 3, it’s athletic participation in an environment that very specifically includes one and two. At this point in my career, there’s almost a vocational element to what I do here at USF.’”