Marcus Williams, the Director of Athletics and Discipline for the Chandler Unified School District, is returning to Arizona State.

This time, he’ll join the university as an associate athletic director.

“I’m coming back home,” Williams said. "I had an opportunity to play for the Sun Devils and start a passion.

“I’ve always maintained contact with ASU, (ASU Deputy Athletics Director) Jean Boyd and (ASU Associate Director) Kevin Miniefield. This is a dream come true. I’m living the dream, serving the university that served me.”

Williams was a 4-year letterman at Arizona State, where he was an All-Pac-10 punter in 1997.

He will begin working at ASU on Feb. 15.  

Williams graduated from Tempe McClintock High before starring at ASU and also punting for the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. Before moving to the Chandler District, Williams’ career as an educator began at another Tempe school, Marcos de Niza, where he worked as a special education teacher and coach from 2000-07.

From there, he helped open Gilbert Williams Field High as its first athletic director in 2007. In 2012, Williams was named the Chandler District's athletic director.

“It definitely means the world to me,” said Williams about his time in the district. "(Chandler District Superintendent) Dr. Camille Casteel and Dr. Craig Gilbert (Chandler District's Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education) helped me definitely get to this position of leadership. (The leadership in the Chandler District) is second to none. They have supported and trusted me to deliver the best product we can.”

This school year marked the first time that Williams was voted on as one of the 10 AIA’s executive board members, serving as the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association representative on the board.

He’ll step down from that position as well but made an impact every step of the way. 

"We congratulate Marcus on his new assignment at ASU but will miss his leadership with the Chandler District, the 6A Conference and on the executive board," AIA Executive Director David Hines said.