Adam Braithwaite spent five years on Russ Huesman's staff (2012-16) and four as the Mocs' defensive coordinator. He was promoted to the position in February 2013 and has led the top rated defense in the Southern Conference in three of the last four years.
UTC was No. 4 in the FCS in total defense in 2014, allowing just 277.6 yards per game. That’s the fewest yards allowed by a Chattanooga defense since 1983. UTC also led the SoCon and was No. 11 in the nation, allowing just 19.4 ppg. That is the lowest number for Chattanooga since 1987.
In 2016, Chattanooga was No. 6 in total defense (294.0) and passing yards allowed (164.4) and ninth in scoring defense (19.6). The 2015 squad led the SoCon allowing just 351.9 yards per game. UTC also led the league in passing defense (177.8 ypg) and was third in the league in scoring defense (22.4 ppg).
In 2013, Chattanooga led the SoCon and was No. 17 in the nation in total defense (328.9 ypg). UTC also led the SoCon in passing defense (151.6 ypg), pass efficiency defense (120.60) and scoring defense (20.4 ppg).
Braithwaite has coached the safeties each of the last four seasons. Both Lucas Webb and Cedric Nettles earned first team all SoCon honors each of the last two years. D.J. Key (2010-13) was a two-time first team All-SoCon performer under his tutelage.
Braithwaite spent 2011 as the defensive coordinator for NCAA Division III Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. The Captains won the USA Southern Athletic Conference title with an 8-3 overall record and a 7-0 mark in league play.
Prior to coaching at CNU, Braithwaite worked on the staff at the University of Michigan for three years. He coached the Wolverines’ safeties in 2010, following two seasons as a graduate assistant.
He began his career at West Liberty State in 2003 and returned to William and Mary as an assistant on the Tribe’s 2004 FCS national semifinalist team. Braithwaite served as a graduate assistant working with defensive backs and linebackers at West Virginia for two seasons from 2005-06.
In 2007, he took over as defensive coordinator at Hampden-Sydney College, also coaching linebackers and special teams. He helped lead Hampden-Sydney to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference title before heading to Michigan.
A 2002 graduate of William and Mary, Braithwaite played defensive back for the Tribe from 1997-2001.
Updated January 2017.
