WASHINGTON (AP) – Washington Redskins assistant Gregg Williams, considered a top prospect for several of the vacant NFL head coaching positions, signed a three-year contract Tuesday to remain with the team.

Williams, the former coach of the Buffalo Bills, has produced a top 10 defense in each of his two years with the Redskins. This year’s unit ranked ninth and helped the team secure its first playoff berth in six years.

Williams was one of Joe Gibbs’ first recruits when the Hall of Fame coach came out of retirement in January 2004.

Williams signed a three-year deal with the title of “assistant head coach-defense” and has been seen as natural successor when Gibbs retires again.

But Williams was also expected to be courted by any of the NFL teams that are looking for coaches this offseason. Williams said he turned down two chances to interview last year, but he had indicated recently he might be more tempted to talk to suitors this year.

Williams was 17-31 with the Bills from 2001-03. He has repeatedly said that he wants to be a head coach again but would approach the job differently, concentrating mostly on defense while hiring a coordinator to run the offense.