Football
- Title:
- Defensive Tackles
- Email:
- dja055@shsu.edu
- Phone:
- 936 294--1735
Damien Adams enters his second season as Sam Houston’s defensive tackles coach in 2026 after joining head coach Phil Longo’s staff in 2025.
Adams came to Huntsville following a lengthy tenure at Campbell, where he joined the coaching staff in 2013. In addition to coaching the defensive line, he served as defensive run game coordinator, co-defensive coordinator and general manager with responsibilities in transfer personnel.
During his first 10 seasons at Campbell, his defensive linemen earned 15 all-conference selections. Among those standouts was Brevin Allen, who earned All-America honors and was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Allen led the conference with 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss that season, setting Campbell’s single-season sacks record and tying its record for tackles for loss. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award before later signing with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Adams helped Campbell rank fifth nationally in total defense in 2015, allowing just 279.3 yards per game. The Camels also ranked third in the FCS in sacks per game and set program records with 38 sacks and 85 tackles for loss.
Before Campbell, Adams spent five seasons coaching the defensive line at his alma mater, Fayetteville State, from 2008-12. The Broncos led NCAA Division II in total sacks and ranked fourth in tackles for loss in 2009. His 2011 defensive line produced 21.5 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss.
Adams began his coaching career as head coach at Benson Middle School in Benson, N.C., leading the program to a 14-7 record over three seasons. He later coached the defensive line at South Johnston High School, helping the team win a Cape Fear Valley Conference championship.
As a player, Adams helped Fayetteville State win its first CIAA championship in 2002 and repeat in 2003. A three-time All-CIAA selection, he started all 43 games of his collegiate career and totaled 240 tackles, 51.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He was inducted into the Fayetteville State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.
Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in geography from Fayetteville State in 2003. He and his wife, Teneisha, have two sons, Bryce and Chase.
