Jan. 22, 2013

Deke Adams has been named defensive line coach at the University of South Carolina, Gamecocks’ head coach Steve Spurrier announced today.

“We are thrilled to have Deke Adams come in as our defensive line coach,” said Coach Spurrier. “Several of our coaches are very familiar with Deke, having coached with him previously. He has an excellent track record both as a player and as an assistant coach. He has a lot of experience coaching the defensive line, and in recruiting the state of North Carolina and other parts of the South. He and his family will be an excellent addition to our coaching staff.”

Adams spent the 2012 season as Larry Fedora’s defensive line coach at North Carolina after serving the three previous seasons in the same capacity for Fedora at Southern Miss. Adams, a former Southern Miss letterman, was in charge of a front four that allowed just 112.6 rushing yards per game in 2011, 22nd in the country. Southern Miss won the Conference USA title and went on to a 12-win season after a Hawaii Bowl win over Nevada.

“I’m excited about getting to Columbia and the opportunity to coach with Coach Spurrier and Coach (Lorenzo) Ward,” said Adams. “I’ve known about South Carolina for a long time and it’s a great opportunity for me and my family.”

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 an interim basis. He was given the job on a permanent basis following that first season. He coached the defensive line during his first year in 2006 and had responsibility for the linebackers in 2007.

Adams spent four years (2002-05) at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas before his stint at North Carolina A&T. In 2005, he served as Ouachita Baptist’s defensive coordinator and was responsible for the defensive line.

Adams began his coaching career in 1997 as the defensive line coach at Jacksonville State. After spending one season at Jacksonville State, he coached at Pearl River Community College, where he first served as the linebackers coach and later was named co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. In 2001 he became the defensive coordinator and continued his duties as recruiting coordinator.

Adams was a four-year member of the Southern Miss Dean’s List during his time as a student-athlete and a three-year letterwinner for the Golden Eagle “Nasty Bunch” defense from 1991-94.

He is married to the former Alexis Hall, a member of the 1,000-point club and four-year letterwinner for the Southern Miss women’s basketball team. The couple has two boys, Jaylen and Jordyn.

Adams replaces longtime Carolina defensive line coach Brad Lawing, who accepted a position on the staff at the University of Florida.

“Brad Lawing did an excellent job here for the last seven years,” said the Head Ball Coach. “He’s a good coach and we appreciate everything he did for the Gamecocks. We wish him all the best.”