Adam Cushing Hired As EIU Football Coach

EIU's new head football coach, Adam Cushing.

CHARLESTON, Ill – Chicago native and long-time assistant coach at Northwestern University, Adam Cushing, has been hired as the 25th head football coach at Eastern Illinois University and the sixth in the NCAA Division I history of the program.  An introductory press conference was held today (Dec. 10) in the Baker/Warmoth Hall of Champions in Lantz Arena.

Cushing has been on the staff at Northwestern for the past 15 seasons including the last 13 under current Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year Pat Fitzgerald.  He began his coaching career with the Wildcats on the staff of the late Randy Walker.  Cushing has served as the offensive line coach for the Wildcats since 2009 coaching seven All-Big Ten selections including Rashawn Slater a third-team selection this season.

“I would like to thank EIU President Dr. David Glassman and Athletic Director Tom Michael for this opportunity to lead the Eastern Illinois football program and for the vision they have for not only the program but the University,” said Cushing.  “I would also like to thank two men who have had a huge impact on my career in Northwestern AD Jim Phillips and head coach Pat Fitzgerald.  I believe you have to have great leadership and vision to be successful and I have seen that at Northwestern and see that here at EIU.”

Cushing began his coaching career with a two-year stint at the University of La Verne in California coaching the tight ends and offensive line for one season each.  He joined the Northwestern staff in 2004 as a graduate assistant and full-time in 2005 as the tight ends / H-backs coach.  In that role he coached Drake Dunsmore to Freshman All-Big Ten honors with Dunsmore later becoming a 7th round NFL Draft pick.

He coached the SuperBacks at Northwestern in 2008 and began his stint as the offensive line coach in 2009.  His offensive line has blocked for five 1,000 yard rushers and consistently been ranked in the top four offensive line units in the Big Ten.

“Adam has been a mainstay on our staff throughout my entire head coaching tenure, and someone I’ve relied upon constantly,” said Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald.  “Across a variety of roles, he’s proven to be a terrific recruiter and a relentless teacher of the game.  Over the last five years he coached an offensive line that blocked for the most productive running back and quarterback in Northwestern history.  Our staff won’t be the same without him, be he’s ready for this new chapter, and he’s earned it.”

In addition to his role as a coach, Cushing has also served a stint as the Wildcats recruiting coordinator.  He was twice named one of the top recruiters in the Big Ten Conference by both Rivals.com and ESPN.com.

Cushing has coached two players who were selected to play in the East-West Shrine game along with three Academic All-Americans.  Ben Burkett was a two-time candidate for the Rimington Award while Brandon Vitabile was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

“Today is the greatest day of my professional life,” said Cushing.  “EIU is an amazing place with a rich football tradition.  I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead this program.  The plan is to take these student-athletes to places they’ve never been before and transform this community with their actions on and off the field.”

“The interest in the job was outstanding from the moment it was announced” said EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael.  “If there is such a thing as an ace up our sleeve in a football search, I had four of them in EIU Football Alumni – Mike Shanahan, Sean Payton, Ryan Pace and Tony Romo - some of the most highly qualified football minds in the world.  I spoke to each in regards to our football program and I asked directly what they felt was needed in our football program and each them were extremely helpful and passionate.  When then interviewing candidates for the position of head coach at Eastern Illinois, Adam’s vision and past performance fit so well with our expectations.  Adam’s priorities in leading a football program connected in every way.”

Cushing will coach the Wildcats in the upcoming Holiday Bowl against Utah before taking over the EIU program full-time.  Cushing has been a part of ten bowl appearances at Northwestern, including the 2010 Outback Bowl in which the Wildcats offense set the FBS record for plays in a game with 115.  This season Northwestern won the Big Ten West Division title with an 8-1 conference record.

Cushing played at Chicago Mt. Carmel High School for legendary prep coach Frank Lenti before going on to play at the University of Chicago.  He helped the program win two University Athletic Association titles in 1998 and 2000 while earning All-UAA honors at tight end three times (1999-2001).  He would finish his collegiate career with 72 receptions which ranks 10th on the University of Chicago career list.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in 2002 and a master’s degree from the University of La Verne in 2004.  He and his wife, Dr. Jaime Cushing, DDS, have three children – Abigail, Dana and Alexander.  His older brother Matt Cushing played at the University of Illinois followed by a six-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.