Background

After a standout career under coach Lance Brauman at Barton County Community College, Derrick Williams struggled after returning home to Ohio, and spent the summer of 2005 re-evaluating his career. “My heart wouldn’t let me quit,” he says, so he called Brauman and asked to reunite. “He said come on down, as long as you know you have to work hard and dedicate yourself to the sport.” So in September 2005 Derrick packed his clothes and futon into his Ford Contour and drove to Fayetteville for a second chance. In his first big race, Derrick placed third at the 2006 Kansas Relays in a huge personal best of 49.13 (betting his 2003 Barton mark of 50.14), and in May of 2006 won the adidas Track Classic in Los Angeles over 2004 Olympic silver medalist Danny McFarlane and 2003 World Championships silver medalist Joey Woody. His time of 48.96 was another personal best, and a contract with Reebok soon followed.