Adam Cushing Is Going To Be Mike Elko's Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach At Duke

Adam Cushing is going to be Mike Elko’s Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach At Duke.

Adam Cushing comes to Durham after a three-year stint as the head coach at Eastern Illinois University. While with the Panthers, Cushing mentored 13 players to 16 All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, including three-time selection Jason Johnson. He also coached three All-Americans in Johnson, Chad Strickland, and JJ Ross.

Last season, the Panthers ranked No. 2 in FCS in fumbles recovered (14), 15th in kickoff return defense (16.44) and 28th in team tackles for loss per game (6.5). A year prior, Eastern Illinois finished second in kick return defense (10.31), ninth in blocked kicks (3), 22nd in punt returns (10.25) and 23rd in kick returns (23.00). During his first year as a head coach in 2019, Cushing's team led the country in fourth-down conversions (28), while ranking 22nd in fewest penalties per game (5.08) and 30th in total defense (350.6).

Prior to his tenure at Eastern Illinois, Cushing spent 15 seasons in a variety of roles at Northwestern University, including 10 as the offensive line coach. He also coached the superbacks (2007-08), tight ends and H-backs (2005-06) and served as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line (2004). From 2008-11, Cushing had recruiting coordinators responsibilities as well, twice earning national recognition as one of the Big Ten's top recruiters (Rivals.com, 2007 and ESPN.com, 2009).

During his time in Evanston, Cushing helped the Wildcats to the Big Ten Conference West Division title in 2018. That season was capped by the team's 31-20 win over No. 17 Utah in 2018 Holiday Bowl. In total, Cushing was on staff at Northwestern for 10 bowl games.

While at the helm of the offensive line, his unit blocked for five 1,000-yard rushers, including one of the most productive running backs in program history in Justin Jackson. He became just the second player in Big Ten history to rush for 1,000 yards in four-straight seasons, finishing his career as the program's all-time leader in rushing yards with 5,440.

Cushing's group was also stout when it came to protecting quarterbacks. The offensive line blocked for Clayton Thorson, who finished his career setting program records for passing touchdowns (61), attempts (1,696) and completions (991). Thorson ranked second in total yards (11,139) as well. During the 2010 Outback Bowl, eventual fourth-round NFL Draft pick quarterback Mike Kafka posted a record-breaking offensive performance when he threw for a school-record 532 yards. Northwestern also broke the NCAA record for offensive plays in a game (115) during that contest.

In addition, Cushing mentored seven All-Big Ten offensive line selections, including right tackle Rashawn Slater, who would go on to be the No. 13 overall selection by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2021 NFL Draft and a 2022 All-Pro Bowl choice as a rookie.

As the Wildcats' superbacks coach, Cushing guided Drake Dunsmore to Freshman All-Big Ten honors by The Sporting News in 2007. Dunsmore, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ranked third on the team with 12.8 yards per catch among players with 10 or more catches, picking up 141 yards on 11 receptions.

Adam Cushing joined the Wildcats after spending two years as an assistant coach at the University of La Verne. He coached the tight ends in 2002 and the offensive line in 2003.

Adam Cushing was a three-year starter at tight end at the University of Chicago, where he was named a three-time All-University Athletic Association recipient (1999-2001). He helped the Maroons win UAA titles in 1998 and 2000 and was selected a team captain his senior year. He also graduated third in program history with 72 career receptions.

“according to an article on goduke.com”