Coach Richard Williamson retired as the wide receivers coach of the Carolina Panthers on January 18, 2010 after being with the team since its founding in 1995. The Fort Deposit native played wide receiver at the University of Alabama under legendary coach Bear Bryant for the 1961 and 1962 seasons. He caught Joe Namath’s first touchdown pass at Alabama.

Coach Williamson was a member of the Alabama coaching staff from 1963-1967. He went on to serve two stints as an assistant at the University of Arkansas and was a member of the Alabama staff in 1970-1971. Williamson was the head coach at Memphis State University from 1975-1980. He then joined the professional ranks as an assistant at Kansas City, Tampa, and Cincinnati. Coach Williamson served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 1991 season.

Coach Williamson and his wife Norma live in Charlotte, North Carolina. They have two adult children, Rich and Caroline.