Virginia football announced on Tuesday the hiring of Mike Adams as the program's next linebackers coach. Adams comes to UVA with 26 years of coaching experience, including the last five seasons on the coaching staff at Mercer. He was hired to be the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at West Georgia back in December, but is now headed to Charlottesville to join Tony Elliott's staff.
Adams replaces Clint Sintim, who ended his four-year stint on UVA's defensive coaching staff by going to take the linebackers coaching job at Illinois.
The move reunites Tony Elliott and Mike Adams, who were both assistant coaches on the staff at South Carolina State in 2006 and 2007. Adams remained at South Carolina State until 2014, serving as defensive coordinator for the last seven years and helping the Bulldogs reach the FCS Playoffs four times.
“When I began my coaching journey, Mike was on the staff at South Carolina State, and we’ve stayed in touch over the years,” said Tony Elliott. “He’s an excellent teacher, and as a young coach at that time, I learned a ton from him and how he approached the profession. Mike is a terrific communicator and a man of character. We’re fortunate the timing worked in our favor so he can join our staff. He has established relationships with current staff members from some of his previous coaching positions, which will allow him to transition quickly here at Virginia. Mike will work with a talented group of players in our linebacking room and has the experience to help that group grow and develop to be leaders on our defense.”
A 1998 graduate of Ball State, Adams' coaching career has taken him to St. Joseph's College (1998-2000), West Georgia (2001-2005), South Carolina State (2006-2014), South Alabama (2014-2016), Charleston Southern (2016-2018), Mercer (2018-2023), and now Virginia.
“I am truly honored to join a program of such high character staff, players and families that Coach Elliott has assembled in Charlottesville,” Adams said. “I have always had an extreme admiration for this Virginia program and this conference. I’m preparing to unite with these players and create a great experience as we work towards achieving their goals every day. My family and I are also excited to begin our experience here at this prestigious university and look forward to interacting within the community as well.”
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