Sherrone Moore, the head coach of Michigan, is adding another well-known individual to his staff as he continues to cover open spots.
Michigan is anticipated to appoint Stephen Adegoke, the safeties coach of the Houston Texans, according to a report by Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.
In 2019–20, Adegoke began working as a graduate assistant coach at Florida. After that, in 2021, Adegoke became a graduate assistant on the Michigan staff. He left in 2022 to take a job with the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach. Adegoke collaborated with DeMeco Ryans, the former defensive coordinator of the 49ers, and joined Ryans’ staff in early 2023 when Ryans was hired as head coach of the Houston Texans.
There are several reasons to be pleased with this hire. While Adegoke was in Ann Arbor, he cultivated close bonds with Michigan players and staff. Adegoke should also benefit from working with one of the best defensive minds in football, DeMeco Ryans, during his NFL tenure when he rejoins the Michigan program.
When this hire is confirmed, we’ll have more information.
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BREAKING: Michigan adds NFL assistant to defensive staff
With the addition of another significant NFL hire by Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s coaching staff is almost full.
On Wednesday, Sherrone Moore added one of his top targets for an assistant coaching position when it was reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports that the Wolverines had finalized their agreement to hire Houston Texans assistant Stephen Adegoke as their defensive backs coach.
With the addition, Michigan gains access to a top prospect who has professional experience and was a member of the Wolverines’ program as an analyst for the 2021 campaign. He took advantage of the chance to join the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach, and in 2023 he moved on to coach Houston’s safeties.
Adegoke was frequently brought up by TMI as a potential hire during the hiring process, and it’s thought that the native of Snellville, Georgia, is a perfect fit for the Wolverines. Moore has a rising star in the ranks and a young coach who may end up being the Michigan staff’s defensive coordinator of the future thanks to his rise from the college ranks into a professional position coach.
Following his hiring for the previous season, Adegoke’s full bio was made available by HoustonTexans.com:
Pronounced add-uh-go-KAY, Stephen Adegoke will begin his fifth coaching season—his second in the NFL—in 2023 when he takes a job as the Houston Texans’ safeties coach. Alongside former 49ers defensive coordinator and current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, he worked as the San Francisco 49ers defensive quality control coach (2022) for the entirety of the previous season.
Adegoke assisted in leading a 49ers defense that in 2022 allowed the fewest total yards per game (300.6) and the fewest interceptions (20) against opponents in his first NFL coaching position. In addition, the team allowed just 17.1 first downs and 77.7 rushing yards per game, which were both second in the league. Second-year player S Talanoa Hufanga of San Francisco’s defense was named to the AP First-Team All-Pro, PFWA All-NFL Team, and PFWA All-NFC Team, and he made it to his first career Pro Bowl. Hufanga recorded 65 solo tackles, 2.0 sacks, four interceptions, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and 95 total tackles by the end of the 2022 campaign.
Adegoke worked under Jim Harbaugh as a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan (2021) before taking a job as a 49ers coach. Adegoke oversaw a defense at Michigan led by unanimous All-American defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson broke the school record for the most sacks in a single season as a senior with 62 tackles (36 solo) and 14.0 sacks. The Wolverines’ defensive team won the Big Ten Conference and advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals while giving up just 17 points per contest.
Adegoke spent two seasons (2019–20) as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida before starting his coaching career. With 35.0 sacks during the 2020 season, he contributed to the Gators defense finishing first in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation. In addition, Florida’s defense allowed opponents to only 257.5 passing yards per game that season and finished with the second-most tackles for loss in the conference (73). Adegoke and defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard overlapped in 2019. Greenard played four seasons at Louisville (2015–19) before transferring to Florida for his fifth year of eligibility.
Adegoke transferred from San Diego Mesa College (2014–15) and attended Mississippi State University for three years (2016–18). He played in 16 games during his two seasons (2017–18) as a safety for Mississippi State, recording 14 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception, and one forced fumble. In 2020, he graduated with a master’s degree in sport management from Florida after earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State.
In the upcoming days and weeks, 247Sports will have more on Adegoke’s hiring as well as the other Michigan staff additions.
