Rutgers is continuing to build out its defensive coaching staff, and the latest addition brings a rising name in the college football coaching ranks to Piscataway. Adam Cox is expected to join the Scarlet Knights as safeties coach, a move that adds both youth and proven production to the defensive side of the ball.
Cox arrives from Drake University, where he served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach last season. And while Drake might not be a household name in FCS circles, the results under Cox's leadership were hard to ignore.
The Bulldogs finished sixth nationally in scoring defense, 14th in total defense, sixth in red zone defense, and 22nd in team sacks. That’s not just solid - that’s the kind of defensive consistency that turns heads.
One of the standout players under Cox’s watch was linebacker Sean Allison, who piled up 126 tackles and was named PFL Conference Player of the Year. Allison’s performance also earned him a nomination for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It speaks to Cox’s ability to develop talent and get the most out of his players.
Before his one-year stint at Drake, Cox coached safeties at Indiana State in 2024. He also spent four seasons at Iowa as a defensive assistant, working under longtime secondary coach Phil Parker - a name well-respected in Big Ten defensive circles. That Iowa connection runs deep for Cox, who also played his college ball there.
As a player, Cox was a walk-on fullback out of Stillman Valley, Illinois, who earned a scholarship in his second year with the Hawkeyes. He played in 27 games, starting three, before his final season was cut short by injury.
That background - grinding his way from walk-on to scholarship player - tends to shape a coach’s approach. There’s a toughness and attention to detail that often comes from that kind of journey.
Now, Cox becomes the second defensive assistant hire under new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen, who’s in the process of shaping a staff that fits his vision. With a few more spots still to be filled, the picture isn’t complete just yet, but Cox’s addition is a strong step forward.
For Rutgers, this hire adds another coach with a track record of elevating defensive performance and developing individual talent. And for Cox, it’s a return to the Big Ten - this time on the sidelines, ready to help mold a unit that’s looking to take the next step in one of college football’s most physical conferences.