STANFORD, Calif. – Klayton Adams has been named Stanford's offensive line coach and run game coordinator, as announced today by Bradford. M Freeman Director of Football Troy Taylor. Adams, who spent nearly four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, will depart his post immediately to begin his duties at Stanford.
"I'm excited to bring Klayton Adams aboard as our offensive line coach and run game coordinator," Taylor said. "Klayton is one of the finest offensive line coaches in the country. He has extensive experience in college and the NFL. He's excited to come back to the college game where he can help shape a great experience for our student-athletes at Stanford."
Adams has coached the tight ends in Indianapolis during the last two seasons (2021-22) after serving as the team's assistant offensive line coach for the two seasons (2019-20) prior to that. Adams has 14 years of experience at the collegiate level, most recently as Colorado's co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2018.
"I am incredibly excited and humbled to have the opportunity to join the Stanford football program," Adams said. "Stanford is a place that sets the example worldwide for achieving excellence in innovation, academics and collegiate athletics. Coach Taylor is not only a winner, but a great man, and I can't wait to join him and get to work on The Farm. Go Cardinal."
In 2021, the Colts' offense ranked second in rushing yards per game (149.4 avg.) and tied for ninth in points per game (26.5 avg.). Adams worked with tight ends Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox and rookie Kylen Granson – who combined for 64 receptions for 724 yards and seven touchdowns.
Adams' group helped pave the way for Jonathan Taylor to put together one of the best single-season performances by a running back in team history. Taylor led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,171), rushing yards (1,811), rushing touchdowns (18), 100-yard rushing games (10) and first-down runs (107). He finished tied-for-first in total touchdowns (20) and ranked second in the league in total points (120) by non-kickers. Taylor set franchise single-season records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and fewest carries to reach 1,000 rushing yards (173). He became the third player ever with a rushing touchdown in at least 11 consecutive games within a single season. Taylor also became the youngest player in NFL history with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards (2,171) and 20 scrimmage touchdowns (20) in a single season.
In 2020, Adams assisted with a unit that tied for the second-fewest sacks allowed in the NFL. The Colts registered four games without allowing a sack, which tied for the fourth-most in the league. The offensive line helped Taylor to become just the fifth rookie in franchise history to register 1,000 rushing yards (1,169 yards). He finished third in the NFL in rushing yards. It marked the first time since 2003-05 that Indianapolis registered back-to-back seasons (2019-20) with a 1,000-yard rusher. Guard Quenton Nelson (First Team) and center Ryan Kelly (Second Team) were each named Associated Press All-Pro. It marked the 10th occasion the team has had multiple offensive linemen represented on the All-Pro Teams and the first time since 1988 (center Ray Donaldson and tackle Chris Hinton were each named Second Team). Nelson and Kelly were also named to the Pro Bowl. It marked the first time the Colts have had two offensive linemen represented in consecutive Pro Bowls since 2005-06 (tackle Tarik Glenn and center Jeff Saturday).
In Adams' first season in Indianapolis, the Colts were the only team in the NFL to start the same five offensive linemen (tackle Anthony Castonzo, Nelson, Kelly, guard Mark Glowinski and tackle Braden Smith) in all 16 regular season games. The group tied for the ninth-fewest sacks allowed in the league. Nelson and Kelly were each named to the Pro Bowl, marking the first time Indianapolis had two offensive linemen represented in the Pro Bowl since 2006. Nelson also garnered Associated Press First Team All-Pro honors for the second consecutive season.
In 2019, the Colts registered a top-10 rushing attack for the first time since 2001 as the team boasted the league's seventh-ranked rushing offense (133.1 yards per game). Indianapolis' 4.52 yards per carry average was the fifth-highest single-season total in franchise history. Running back Marlon Mack finished 11th in the NFL in rushing yards with a single-season career-high 1,091 yards on the ground to become the first Colts player to register a 1,000-yard rushing season since 2016. In Week 11 vs. Jacksonville (Nov. 17), the offensive line helped pave the way for Jonathan Williams (116 yards) and Mack (109 yards) to become just the fourth pair of running backs in franchise history to register 100 rushing yards in the same game. Indianapolis finished with 264 rushing yards against the Jaguars, which ranked 12th in single-game team history.
Prior to Indianapolis, Adams spent six seasons at Colorado, where he served as co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach (2018) and offensive line coach (2016-17) after serving three seasons (2013-15) coaching the running backs and tight ends.
From 2016-17, Adams' unit paved the way for running back Phillip Lindsay to become the first player in school history to register 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons (1,474 yards in 2017 and 1,189 yards in 2016). In 2016, the Buffaloes compiled their highest average per rush (4.12) in 10 seasons while Lindsay became the school's first 1,000-yard rusher in seven years.
In 2015, six different players rushed for at least 200 yards for just the fourth time in school history. Colorado had four different players rush for over 300 yards in 2014 for the first time in school history.
Prior to Colorado, Adams served as the tight ends coach at San Jose State for two seasons (2011-12). He coached two-time John Mackey Award watch list member Ryan Otten to Honorable Mention All-America recognition.
Adams coached two seasons at Sacramento State, where he served as the offensive tackles/tight ends coach (2009) before being promoted to offensive line coach (2010). He coached three players to All-Big Sky Conference honors while at Sacramento State. Adams also served as run game coordinator/offensive line coach at Western Washington for two seasons (2007-08).
In 2006, Adams served as an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Boise State. The 2006 Broncos went 13-0 and defeated Oklahoma in a 43-42 overtime victory in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Boise State ended the 2006 season ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll, No. 6 in the Coaches poll and No. 8 in the final BCS rankings.
Adams began his coaching career in 2005 as a student assistant for the Broncos.
Adams graduated from Boise State with a bachelor's degree in mass communication with an emphasis in journalism. He lettered twice at center on the Broncos' 2003 and 2004 Western Athletic Conference championship teams that had a combined 24-2 record and won the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl and played in the 2004 Liberty Bowl. The Broncos finished 13-1 his junior year and were ranked No. 15 in the Coaches poll and No. 16 in the final Associated Press poll. Adams was 11-1 his senior year as the team finished No. 10 in the final BCS rankings, No. 12 by the Associated Press and No. 13 in the Coaches poll. He was named a Second Team All-WAC selection his senior season.
Adams was born in Sacramento, Calif. He graduated from Sheldon High School (Elk Grove, Calif.), where he lettered in football, wrestling and track and field.
Adams and his wife, Stefani, have three daughters, Mya, Emmy and Harper.
Coaching Experience
2022-present – Stanford (Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator/)
2021-22 – Indianapolis Colts (Tight Ends)
2019-20 – Indianapolis Colts (Assistant Offensive Line)
2018 – Colorado (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2016-17 – Colorado (Offensive Line)
2013-15 – Colorado (Running Backs/Tight Ends)
2011-12 – San Jose State (Tight Ends)
2010 – Sacramento State (Offensive Line)
2009 – Sacramento State (Offensive Tackles/Tight Ends)
2007-08 – Western Washington (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2006 – Boise State (Offensive GA)
2005 – Boise State (Student Assistant)