Switching sides: Another Mississippi State assistant reportedly heading to Ole Miss
With a spot to fill on his staff, Lane Kiffin looked to his new biggest rival. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg is reporting that Deke Adams is switching sides in the Egg Bowl and heading to Ole Miss.
Kiffin’s Rebels staff had an opening at the defensive line position after Freddie Roach left to return to his alma mater, Alabama. A Meridian, Mississippi native, Adams more than two decades of coaching experience. Former MSU head coach Joe Moorhead hired Adams away from a brief stint at Memphis ahead of the 2019 season to join the Bulldogs coaching staff.
In addition to being a Mississippi native, Adams also played college football at Southern Miss. A three-year letterman, Adams played a key role as part of the Golden Eagles’ “Nasty Bunch” defense. He wrapped up his collegiate career in 1994 with 76 tackles, including five for loss, one sack and one interception.
Adams also coached at South Carolina from 2013-15, the end of the Steve Spurrier era.
Earlier this month, Kiffin hired another member of the 2019 MSU staff, Terrell Buckley, as the Rebels’ new cornerbacks coach.
Source: #OleMiss is hiring Deke Adams as defensive line coach. He spent last season as Mississippi State’s D-line coach. Has coached defensive line at South Carolina, North Carolina and other spots.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 24, 2020
Adams was let go when Leach came to State. So, not exactly like switching sides. Especially since Adams is a Golden Eagle.
Leach 0, Kiffen 2
I say we steal back Brian Baker.
I would look at it, whew thank heaven we don’t have to fire them later. Leach is a little off the wall but he is light years ahead of Kiffin professionally and now it looks like “emotionally”. Also, Leach probably has about 10 X the hiring power of Kiffin and might have just been giving these guys the benefit of a doubt keeping them first year.