Larry Williams, University of San Francisco athletic director and former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman, died on Thursday, October 16, 2025, while working out at the campus gym. He was 62 years old.
Williams collapsed during a morning workout at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center on the University of San Francisco campus. University president Salvador Aceves announced his death in a letter posted to the athletic department website that same day.
“I am saddened to inform you that USF Athletic Director Larry Williams passed away this morning while working out at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center on campus,” Aceves wrote. The university president extended condolences to Williams’ wife Laura, their five children—Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis—their families, and his grandchildren. His thoughts and prayers also went to the university’s 250 student-athletes and all coaches and staff under Williams’ leadership.
Williams had served as USF’s athletic director since Aug. 31, 2022. At the time of his hiring, he expressed enthusiasm about the role, noting that it represented an almost perfect combination of things he cherished. He particularly valued the school’s Catholic identity, its deep educational mission, and athletic participation within an environment that specifically included those first two elements. He described a vocational element to his work at USF at that point in his career.
Aceves remembered Williams as a man deeply grounded in his Catholic faith who saw his work at USF as more than a profession—it was a calling which he devotedly lived out for others on a daily basis. “Starting his days in contemplative prayer, Scripture reading, and reflection, his belief in the harmony of faith, education, and athletics shaped his vision for the department and his dedication to the holistic development of student-athletes,” the university president stated.
Born in Orange County, California, Williams graduated from the University of Notre Dame where he established himself as a two-time All-American offensive lineman. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the 10th round, 259th overall, in the 1985 NFL Draft.
Williams played guard and center in the National Football League from 1986 to 1992, appearing in 61 regular-season games and starting 44 of them. He spent his first three seasons with the Browns from 1986 to 1988, before injuries kept him off the field for the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He returned to play six games with the New Orleans Saints in 1991, then concluded his playing career with 13 games, including nine starts, for the New England Patriots in 1992.
While playing professional football, Williams earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. Following his retirement from the NFL in 1993, he practiced law at the firm of Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis. In 1999, Williams returned to Notre Dame to work in licensing and product marketing.
Williams transitioned into athletic administration and held athletic director positions at three other NCAA Division I institutions before joining USF. He served as athletic director at the University of Portland in Oregon starting in 2004, followed by stints at Marquette University and the University of Akron, where he worked from 2015 to 2022.
The University of Akron athletic department posted on social media that it was deeply saddened by Williams’ unexpected death. The Akron Zips community offered love and support to the entire Williams family during the difficult time.
Williams met his wife Laura Lee at Notre Dame, and together they raised their five children. Throughout his career in athletic administration, Williams maintained his commitment to integrating faith, education, and athletics in developing student-athletes.
The University of San Francisco named Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins, who had been serving as deputy athletic director for administration and facilities, as interim athletic director. Memorial services for Williams had not been announced at the time of the initial reports.
Williams’ sudden death during a routine workout marked an abrupt end to a career that spanned professional athletics, law, and collegiate sports administration. His colleagues and the university community remembered him for his dedication to combining athletic excellence with educational and spiritual development.
