CARROLLTON, Ga. – Head football coach Joel Taylor has made his first hire towards his 2024 coaching staff, naming veteran coach Mike Adams as the Wolves' defensive coordinator.
 
Adams, who is no stranger to West Georgia, comes to UWG after a five-year stint at Mercer where he most recently was the Pass Game Coordinator and safeties. Fans may remember Adams who was at UWG as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator from 2001-2005.
 
"Mike is one of the best teachers I've ever been around, and over our time together he has become one of my best friends," said Taylor, who has spent 12 years on staff at two different programs with Adams. "He's a man of character and a great communicator and I think it's important that he has some experience here at West Georgia. So he's a tremendous addition to who we are and who we want to become."
 
Most recently at Mercer, Adams was instrumental in leading safety Lance Wise Jr. to three All-Conference nods, and Wise became the first player in Mercer's 11-year modern era to be finalist for a National Player of the Year award. Wise finished 20^th in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award which honors the top defensive player in the Football Championship Series (FCS).
 
In his time in collegiate football, Adams has coached and mentored over 15 players that went on to play in the National Football League.

Between his previous stop at UWG and his time at Mercer, Adams gained Division I experience at South Carolina State from 2006-2014 that included seven seasons as the defensive coordinator. From there, Adams coached at South Alabama from 2014-2016 and Charleston Southern from 2016-2018.
 
"West Georgia is the first place that welcomed me into the South as a young coach and I have lifelong friendships that were formed during that time," said Adams. "Returning here is an opportunity for me to give back to the fans and community who have always showed tremendous support and help build a special program here in Carrollton"
 
As defensive coordinator at South Carolina State, Adams helped the Bulldogs earn four berths in the FCS Playoffs and MEAC Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013.
 
Adams earliest coaching experience came at Ball State in 1997 and 1998 and he was also on staff at St. Joseph's college prior to arriving at UWG on Gary Otten's staff in 2001.
 
An alumnus of Ball State, Adams has also completed observations with seven NFL teams. Adams' degree from BSU is in Sports Administration.
 
At UWG, Adams will coach the linebackers along with his defensive coordinator duties.