Steve Adams enters his second year on the sidelines for the Pioneer Football team as the Defensive Coordinator and inside linebackers coach.
In 2019, Coach Adams helped the Pioneers go 7-4 overall and 6-4 in the MEC. They also picked up huge wins over the No. 5 team in the country in Notre Dame College and Frostburg State. Also in 2019 GSC defense finished ranked; 5th in NCAA DII in Defensive TD's (six total), 6th in NCAA DII in Passes Intercepted (21 total), 11th in NCAA DII in Turnovers Gained (29 total).
Steve coached Dominic Cizauskas who was the 2019 MEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Adams came to GSC after spending four seasons with the Southern University football program.During his four years at Southern University, he was the Special Teams Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, Safeties Coach (2015), Cornerback Coach (2016-2017) and Linebacker Coach (2018). In 2016, the Jaguars finished 1st in NCAA DI FCS in Turnovers Gained (32 total) and 5th nationally in Interceptions (19 total). Adams also coached Danny Johnson who was a two time All-American (2016-2017) and led DI FCS in Interceptions in 2016.
Prior to arriving at Southern, he spent two seasons at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, serving as the Colonels' safeties coach and defensive coordinator in 2014. In his first year with the Colonels, Adams served as the Special Teams Coordinator.
Prior to Nicholls State, he spent two years coaching at Concord University. While at Concord, he served as the Mountain Lions' defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator as well as the special teams coordinator in 2011 and co-special teams coordinator in 2012. In his last season, the Mountain Lions ranked in the nation's top 10 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg/9th) and pass defense (163.3 ypg/7th), while finishing 13th in the NCAA Division II in total defense (293.9). All four of his starting defensive backs earned all-conference honors.
In 2011, he also helped lead Concord to a conference championship. The defense finished with high marks in that season, ranking fifth in turnover margin (+1.4) and sixth in interceptions (22). Three defensive backs earned All-WVIAC honors, with two players also earning All-Region accolades.
Before joining Concord, Adams had stints with Purdue University (quality control, 2010), University of Louisville (director of football ops/quality control, 2007-2009), and Western Kentucky University (assistant defensive backs coach, 2004-2006). He earned his bachelor's degree from WKU where he lettered three years as a strong safety. Along with being part of the Hilltoppers team that reached the NCAA Division I AA national quarterfinals in 1997, Adams earned a spot on WKU's Dean's List and was on the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll from 1998-2000.
Coach Adam and his wife Sonnee Stanley reside in Glenville with their son, Stetson.
