Prior to 2007 there was not a lot of patience with Manuel and it raised many eyebrows when Gillick hired three former managers--Williams, Lopes and Howe for the coaching staff (Howe would eventually decide to go to the Rangers instead). Yeah, it is surprising that Williams did not resurface anyplace else. He was only 65 at the time which, in terms of baseball coaching and front office work, is young for retirement and was back then as well. Perhaps Gillick because was his patron and had just retired? He did have Bobby Cox ties too, though, so it's a little surprising that he did not end up as a "senior advisor" in Atlanta.
