MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From a second wave of candidates, West Virginia found its cornerbacks coach late Monday afternoon, hiring former Miami Dolphins assistant Blue Adams.
Adams, 36, had moved from coaching defensive backs on Joe Philbin’s staff to a research analyst position under new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase.
Brian Mitchell, who spent three seasons as West Virginia’s cornerbacks coach, departed last month to join Justin Fuentes’ staff at Virginia Tech.
Adams grew up in Miami, but played collegiately at the University of Cincinnati, making 12 career interceptions and earning second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2002. Adams became a seventh-round NFL draft pick and appeared in 50 games over four seasons with the Jaguars (2003), Bucs (2005-2006) and Bengals (2007). He also played in NFL Europe and the CFL.
His college coaching experience involves a year as a graduate assistant at Purdue before spending the 2011 as secondary coach/defensive pass game coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa.
Two weeks ago, West Virginia interviewed former Tampa Bay Bucs assistant Mikal Smith, but he was expected to continue working under his dad Lovie Smith, who subsequently was named head coach at Illinois on Sunday.
WVU coach Dana Holgorsen and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson also interviewed a candidate from a mid-major program as well as an FCS-level coach during its first round of searches.
When those options didn’t provide a fit, Holgorsen appointed special teams coach Mark Scott to oversee cornerbacks during the interim.
Holgorsen said Adams “brings energy as a coach and teacher and will be a good addition to our staff.”
“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.”
Gibson said last week he wanted to have this hire made by Monday so as to jumpstart the acclimation process for the new coach. West Virginia opens spring practice on Sunday with the Blue-Gold spring game slated for April 23.