DETROIT -- Former Michigan State coach Bobby Williams was hired Friday as running backs coach of the Detroit Lions.

He replaces Maurice Carthon, who was hired Monday as the Dallas Cowboys' offensive coordinator. Carthon was offensive coordinator and running backs coach with the Lions.

Williams was dismissed by Michigan State in early November, two days after the Spartans lost 49-3 to Michigan. Michigan State was 3-6 at the time.

Williams was Michigan State's first black football coach and the first to lead a public Big Ten school. He coached seven 1,000-yard rushers in his decade as the Spartans' running backs coach.