Will Windham was named Texas States defensive coordinator in January 2026 after five seasons at South Alabama, where he most recently served as defensive coordinator and led the safeties room. Prior to that, Windham coached linebackers for three seasons.
The 2025 season saw the Jaguars finish third in the Sun Belt in fumbles recovered and fourth in total defense, passing yards allowed and first down defense. Individually, Nehemiah Chandler was named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference, leading the league and ranking third nationally in passes defended, while Blayne Myrick was named All-SBC Second Team after earning preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
In 2024, his first season leading the defense, Windham helped guide South Alabama to a 7–6 record and a victory in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl. The Jaguars finished second in the Sun Belt Conference in rushing defense, allowing just 142.8 yards per game. The defense also recorded 16 interceptions during the 2024 season, ranking second in the conference and first in a single season for South Alabama.
Before being elevated to defensive coordinator, South Alabama produced the program's best marks in rushing and total defense since transitioning to the FBS in 2012. During that span, the Jaguars matched a school record with 15 interceptions and 25 total takeaways while posting the second-highest sack total in program history.
Windham joined South Alabama after three seasons at Kent State, where he coached inside linebackers before transitioning to safeties. He helped the Golden Flashes improve by five wins in 2019, culminating in a 7–6 record and the program's first-ever bowl victory at the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl.
Before his time at Kent State, Windham served as a defensive quality control coach at Georgia from 2016–17. He was part of a program that captured the 2017 SEC Championship and earned a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Georgia also posted a nine-win season and a Liberty Bowl victory during his tenure.
Windham began his coaching career at Saint Stanislaus Prep, helping lead the program to a 4A state championship in 2009. He later served as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State and Penn State and was an assistant coach at Davidson during the 2015 season.
A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Windham earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Mississippi State in 2007 and his master's degree in kinesiology in 2012.
