"Go ahead. Fire the direct questions at Alan Williams. He knows they're coming.

As the new Vikings defensive coordinator, Williams understands it's imperative he establish a voice. And soon.

It's his turn now to plot the master plan for a defensive rebirth. But only if he can successfully pick off the myriad questions that have greeted him at the doorstep of his new job.

So about that NFL coaching experience, those 10 consecutive seasons working with defensive backs in Indianapolis ... What took the 42-year-old so long to move on and move up?

"People can easily forget why you coach," Williams said. "You coach to win championships. You coach to help people improve. And that's what I was doing in Indianapolis. There's a fulfillment to that. I don't know that anyone gets into coaching with a narrow focus of 'I just want to move up.' For 10 years, Indy fit my needs. We were winning. I was developing good players. So I stayed.""