Carolina's defensive line coach sits down for a Q and A
After serving three seasons as Larry Fedora's defensive line coach at Southern Miss, Deke Adams enters his first year as Carolina's defensive line coach in 2012.
Adams, a former Southern Miss letterman, was in charge of a front four that allowed just 112.6 rushing yards per game in 2011, good for second in Conference USA and 22nd in the country. The Golden Eagles ranked second in total defense and defensive end Cordarro Law was named first-team All-CUSA.
Southern Miss won the Conference USA championship over previously unbeaten Houston and then won its school-record 12th game of the year by beating Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.
In 2010, the Golden Eagle defensive line continued to improve and show toughness in Adams' second year as they were among the toughest against the run and led CUSA in tackles for loss. Two of Adams' lineman, Anthony Gray and Law, also made up half of the 2010 All-Conference USA second team defensive squad on the line. Adams' also put one other player, John Henderson, on the honorable mention squad.
In his first year as a USM assistant coach, Adams inherited a young, but seasoned and talented group of players that progressively improved as the season continued. The defense finished the year No. 18 nationally in sacks and No. 24 nationally in tackles for loss. The year prior to his arrival, Southern Miss was No. 93 and No. 68, respectively, in those two defensive categories.
Adams came to Southern Miss after spending the previous year as linebackers coach and coordinator of player development at Louisiana-Monroe. Prior to his stint at ULM, he worked for two seasons at North Carolina A&T.
During his first season at North Carolina A&T, Adams stepped into the role of defensive coordinator two games into the season on a interim basis. Adams handled himself in a situation where he led a defense made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores, then was given the job on a permanent basis following that first season. Adams coached the defensive line during his first year in 2006 and the linebackers in 2007.
Adams spent four years at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas before his stint at North Carolina A&T. In 2005, he served as Ouachita Baptist's defensive coordinator. He was also responsible for coaching the defensive line. His duties also included recruiting the Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas areas.
Adams started his coaching career in 1997 when he accepted a position as the defensive line coach at Jacksonville State.
After spending one season at Jacksonville State, Adams coached at Pearl River Community College where he performed a variety of duties. He first served as the linebackers coach and, a few months later, was named co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.
In 2001, Adams became the defensive coordinator and continued his duties as recruiting coordinator. He worked at Pearl River until 2002 when he accepted the position at Ouachita Baptist.
Adams was a four-year member of the Southern Miss Dean's List during his time as a student-athlete and three-time letterwinner for the Golden Eagle "Nasty Bunch" defense at Southern Miss from 1991-94.
Duing his tenure, the Golden Eagles enjoyed a pair of winning seasons and Adams went out on a winning note with a 20-18 victory over LSU in his final game as a senior.
He is married to the former Alexis Hall, a member of the 1,000-point club and four-year letter winner for the Southern Miss women's basketball team from 1988-1991. The couple has two boys, Jaylen and Jordyn.
