Bio

Adam Hicks enters his role as defensive coordinator at Tyler Junior College following an extensive coaching background at both the collegiate and program-building levels. Hicks most recently served as head coach at Clarke University football from January 2023 through the 2025 season, after playing a key role in launching the program. He was the top assistant and defensive coordinator for Clarke from its inaugural 2019 season through 2024, helping establish the foundation and defensive identity of the Pride.

Prior to Clarke, Hicks spent time at University of Missouri football, where he served as recruiting coordinator under head coach Barry Odom. He joined the Tigers in 2015 as a defensive analyst working with linebackers and was promoted to inside linebackers coach for the 2017 season. During his tenure, Missouri’s 2015 defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in total, scoring, and pass defense, while the 2017 squad closed the season with six consecutive wins and earned a berth in the Texas Bowl.

Hicks also spent three seasons (2012–2014) at University of Memphis football under head coach Justin Fuente. The Tigers completed a dramatic turnaround during that stretch, culminating in a 10-win season, an American Athletic Conference championship, and a double-overtime victory in the Miami Beach Bowl. The 2014 Memphis defense ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense (17.1 points per game) and 22nd in total defense (343.3 yards per game).

A native of South Fulton, Tennessee, Hicks began his coaching career at University of Mississippi football as a quality control coach for the secondary under head coach Houston Nutt.

Hicks earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from University of Tennessee in 2009 and later completed a master’s degree in health and sport sciences from University of Memphis in 2015.

He and his wife, Samantha, have three children: Berkley, Dawson, and Sloane.