The WVU football program is getting a new cornerbacks coach with professional experience.
Danny “Blue” Adams has joined the Mountaineers and head coach Dana Holgorsen’s staff in place of Brian Mitchell, who was in the position for the past three seasons.
Related Story: Brian Mitchell joins Virginia Tech
Adams, 36, has an impressive coaching resume that got started after his solid playing career at Cincinnati.
He began coaching as a graduate assistant at Purdue in 2010, then he went to Northern Iowa to coach the secondary in 2011. Adams has been with the Dolphins for the past five seasons.
According to SI.com, Adams helped the Dolphins rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards allowed in 2014 with only 223.3 yards allowed per game.
Just getting to the NFL was a big leap for Adams. His one year at Northern Iowa produced a 10-3 record, second place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference and a berth in the FCS playoffs.
It was a modest mark, but Adams was obviously impressive enough to return to his native Miami and coach at football’s highest level.
Now, he’s back in the college ranks and the Dolphins’ loss is West Virginia’s gain.
"“We would like to welcome Blue Adams to the West Virginia football program,” Holgorsen said. “He brings outstanding secondary experience, first playing professionally for several years, then coaching at the college level and the last three in the NFL. He brings energy as a coach and teacher and will be a good addition to our staff.”"
Adams, himself, is no stranger to the Mountaineers as a 2003 graduate of Cincinnati.
In 2002, when Adams was named to the Conference-USA First Team, the WVU football team beat the Bearcats in Cincinnati, 35-32.
Adams had four total tackles in that game. It’s likely not a big memory for Adams, who would go on to play six seasons in the NFL.
Nonetheless, he is excited to be joining the WVU football program.
"“I am excited to come to West Virginia and be a part of this program and coaching staff,” Adams said. “I want to thank Coach Holgorsen for giving me this opportunity. I believe in Coach Gibson and the style of defense here, and I’m looking forward to working and teaching these talented young men on this campus and helping them develop.”"
The move should also excite the WVU defensive players. They have a young coach, who seems very relatable. And, that young coach is a guy who has played and coached the best-of-the-best.
In Morgantown, Adams can make the Mountaineers the best-of-the-best in the Big 12 Conference.