Gregg Williams close to coaching job

Gregg Williams could be making a return to the Titans, a team he was a part of from 1997 to 2000. (Associated Press/Chuck Burton)

Gregg Williams is likely to take a new job in the NFL, but this time, it will be with the Tennessee Titans.

On March 21, 2012, the NFL suspended then Rams defensive coordinator Williams indefinitely for “conduct detrimental” to the league, effective that day. That conduct detrimental to the league was running a bounty system in New Orleans, where he and other players and coaches allegedly paid for injuring opponents.

Now, for Williams to return the league, he needs a team to first hire him (Rams have since fired him from his defensive coordinator spot). Then, after being hired, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell could put an end to his suspension.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the defensive-minded coach is on the verge of a deal to become the assistant head coach of the Titans.

Williams has met with the team that is looking to hire him, but his contract can only be agreed upon, not finalized, before he returns to the league. This would be Willams’ second tenure in Tennessee, as he tenured with the Titans from 1997 to 2000.

Jerry Gray, defensive coordinator of the Titans, is a likely reason for the interest in hiring Williams. Gray and Williams worked together in Buffalo, where Gray was the defensive coordinator from 2001-2005, and have remained close since that time. Williams also worked with Titans head coach Mike Munchak for his four years in Tennessee. It’s no surprise that this team is showing interest.

Many thought Williams would never be back in the NFL,  but Williams has defied the odds and looks like he could be a part of a coaching staff in 2013, just one year after his indefinite suspension started.

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UPDATE: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the Williams is expected to join the Titans staff in some form, but has not met with the league to discuss his reinstatement. No guarantee that the league will be ready to reinstate him at this point.