Longtime collegiate and professional coach Greg Adkins has been hired by Charlotte 49ers head coach Brad Lambert to oversee the program's offensive line. Adkins spent the past two years as offensive line coach at Oklahoma State. He coached tight ends for the NFL's Buffalo Bills the previous two years.
"Greg brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at all levels to our offensive line," said Lambert, who coached with Adkins at Marshall and Georgia. "He's coached in the NFL, at the Power Five level and at the Group of Five level. He's an excellent recruiter and has served as a recruiting coordinator. He's coached different aspects, like the defensive line and tight ends -- all things that can benefit our offensive line play and our offense moving forward. He'll be a huge asset to our program. We see a lot of benefits in him and see him as being able to influence our young guys in a positive manner."
Adkins got his coaching start at Marshall, coaching the defensive line, tight ends and offensive line from 1991-95. He went to Georgia in 1996 as defensive line coach before switching to the offensive line and tight ends from 1997-2000. He coached the O-Line and was the recruiting coordinator at Troy from 2001-02 before a six-year stint at Tennessee (2003-2008). He coached the Vols' tight ends and offensive line and also served as the recruiting coordinator.
In 2009, he moved to Syracuse where he again coached the offensive line and served as recruiting coordinator. He left Syracuse with head coach Doug Marrone to join the Buffalo Bills for the 2013 season.
"First of all, to go to work for a man I've had a long relationship with and help build upon what he's trying to brand at Charlotte is a great opportunity for me," Adkins said. "One of my mantras that I use in coaching the offensive line is I believe in developing the person before developing the player. I believe the line is built with trust and relationships. The O-Line is a unique part of a football team -- you need to get five guys to buy into what you're teaching -- and supplying them with one voice so the kids can play at a fast level with physicality is as important a job as I have."
In all, Adkins has had over 25 years of coaching experience, including 11 years in the SEC. He has participated in 12 bowl games in his career as well as four NCAA National Championship games while at Marshall. He graduated from Marshall in 1990 with a degree in sports management and marketing. A four-year letterwinner, he served as team captain as a senior.
With the hiring of Adkins, current offensive line coach Johnson Richardson will be moved to tight ends coach, a role vacated when assistant head coach Dean Hood resigned to take a position at Kentucky. Richardson oversaw the tight ends for three years and assisted with the O-Line in 2015. He became the offensive line coach at the end of the 2015 campaign.
What They Are Saying:
Jim Donnan, former Marshall and Georgia coach:
"I'm excited for both Greg and Brad to be back together. They both did a really good job for me. Greg will certainly be a big asset as offensive line coach and as a recruiter for Charlotte. I've been around that program and know the excitement they have there and feel like Greg will be a tremendous addition to the staff."
Phillip Fulmer, former Tennessee coach:
"Greg is an outstanding football coach, person and recruiter -- one of those guys you want to be in the trenches with. He'll do an outstanding job with (the 49ers) program."
Adkins' Coaching Career Year by Year
1991-95: Marshall - Defensive Line/Tight Ends/Offensive Line
1991 NCAA National Championship game
1992 NCAA National Champions
1993 NCAA National Championship game
1995 NCAA National Championship game
1996-2000: Georgia
1996 Defensive Line
1997-2000 Offensive Line/Tight Ends
1998 Outback Bowl
1998 Peach Bowl
2000 Outback Bowl
2000 Oahu Bowl
2001-02: Troy - Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2003-08: Tennessee
2003-05 Tight Ends/Asst. Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2006-08 Offensive Line
2004 Peach Bowl
2005 Cotton Bowl
2007 Outback Bowl
2008 Outback Bowl
2009-12: Syracuse - Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2010 Pinstripe Bowl
2012 Pinstripe Bowl
2013-14: Buffalo Bills - Tight Ends
2015-16: Oklahoma State - Offensive Line
2016 Sugar Bowl
2016 Alamo Bowl
