Owls AD takes job at Boston College

After six years as athletic director at Kennesaw State, Vaughn Williams is headed back to Boston College.

BC Athletic Director Martin Jarmond on Tuesday announced that Williams accepted the role of senior associate athletic director for administration, approximately two weeks after his conversations with the school began.

“Martin gave me a call,” Williams said. “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 I know.”

Williams said he traveled to BC in late June to discuss the position and become reacquainted with the campus, where he had served as assistant athletic director for operations and facilities from 1998-2004.

Williams said he and his family were eager to return to the Northeast, where Williams met his wife, Eileen. Williams played college football at Massachusetts, and the Williamses have extended family and close friends in New York.

“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 to “serve at a higher level” in an ACC school, Williams’ remarks were tinged with some sadness. He said he and his family will miss the KSU community, athletes 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 KSU, Williams played an essential role in launching the Owls’ Division I football program, signing 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,” university 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 the department 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 last year.

“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 we’ve gotten to build so much.”