Curt Cignetti Staff Profiles: Safeties/Defensive Backs Coach Ola Adams

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

As of Wednesday, Curt Cignetti’s staff is official and formally announced to the public (though the deals had been reported prior to today). One of these new faces to the staff will be Ola Adams, the safeties and defensive backs coach, replacing Brandon Shelby. 

Adams played defensive back himself at the division II level at Concord University in West Virginia. The four-year starter, a three-time All-WVIAC honoree and was rated the 7th best Division II free safety in 2008. Adams remained in football but transitioned to coaching after graduation, first really making a name for himself when he began his seven-year stint at Villanova. He joined the Wildcats’ coaching staff in 2015 as a running backs coach before moving to special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach from 2017 to 2018. After working with the cornerbacks, Adams was named Villanova’s defensive coordinator, where he stayed until his departure after the 2021 season. In his first year as DC in 2019, Villanova ranked fifth in the country in defensive touchdowns and 20th in passes intercepted. During the 2020 season, the Wildcats held their opponents to a 24.4% conversion rate on third downs. In his final season, the Wildcats ranked seventh in the FCS in total defense and won a CAA conference title.

Adams parlayed the success with Villanova into a defensive coordinator role with Temple, but later instead opted to join the Denver Broncos staff for the 2022 season before he ever worked with the Owls. Serving as the defensive backs coach, he was able to coach great players such as Pat Surtain to unanimous first-team All Pro honors and the total defense was one of the best units in the NFL.

After Nathaniel Hackett was fired from the Broncos, Adams opted to join Penn State’s staff as a defensive analyst and analytics coordinator last season. Penn State finished the season with the #1 ranked defense, allowing just 223.3 yards per game.

Hoosier Huddle will continue to cover the beginning of the Curt Cignetti era and keep you informed of any developments.