Suspended former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has already met with the Tennessee Titans and is on the verge of becoming the Titans' assistant head coach, according to league sources.
Before Williams can finalize a contract with the Titans, however, he first must be reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- a move that could come as early as this week.
Should Williams be reinstated, no obstacles are expected on the contractual front, according to sources. The two sides are familiar with each other, with Williams having worked in Tennessee from 1993-2000.
Williams already has met with Titans officials, including head coach Mike Munchak, who is said to be in favor of Williams' addition to the staff, according to sources.
Additionally, former Titans and St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has endorsed Williams to his former employer. Fisher hired Williams to lead St. Louis' defense this season, but Williams' suspension for his role in the Saints' bounty scandal lasted the entirety of the 2012 season. Williams was not retained by the Rams at season's end.
Neither Williams nor his representatives could be reached for comment.
Munchak has known Williams since 1990. Munchak was playing for the then-Houston Oilers when Williams became an assistant coach with the team. They also coached together with the Oilers; Munchak oversaw the offensive line starting in 1994 and Williams rose from defensive assistant to coaching special teams, then linebackers and finally defensive coordinator.
Williams left the Titans to become head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2001 before becoming defensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins from 2004-07. Williams also was defensive coordinator in Jacksonville in 2008 before being hired by the Saints in 2009.
Munchak already has Jerry Gray as his defensive coordinator, who left the Titans with Williams and served as Williams' defensive coordinator in Buffalo. But Munchak will be coaching for his job in 2013 after going 6-10 in his second season as head coach, and Tennessee's defense needs help after setting a franchise record for allowing 471 points in 2012.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.