Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert announced that Adam Pilapil has been added to his coaching staff as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Linebackers. Coach Pilapil worked with Coach Dickert at Wyoming in 2019 and he previously played and worked with Pete Kaligis, Ben Iannacchinone, Scottie Hazelton and he was on the same staff at Colorado State recently with Freddie Banks.

"Adam Pilapil is an exceptional coach and leader who brings energy, passion, and a proven track record of success to our program," Coach Dickert said. "Having worked with Adam in the past, I know firsthand the level of detail and commitment he brings to his craft. He genuinely cares about the development of his players on and off the field. We're thrilled to welcome Adam and his family to Wake Forest and are excited about the impact he will make on our linebackers and our defense as a whole."

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to join Coach Dickert's staff at Wake Forest," Coach Pilapil said. "This is a special opportunity to work at a program that values excellence and has a culture built on family and development. I'm eager to bring my passion for coaching to this talented group of student-athletes, and I look forward to building a linebacking corps that will play with relentless effort and discipline. My wife, Kayla, son, Tatum, and I are thrilled to be a part of the Demon Deacon family."

Pilapil, who is considered a rising star in the industry, was selected to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in December of 2024. He was chosen from a field of over 200 high-quality applicants and was one of three named to the field from the Mountain West and the first Colorado State coach to be a part of the 35 Under 35 program.
Over the last three seasons with Colorado State, Pilapil and the Rams improved their record each season including an 8-4 record in 2024 and an appearance in the Arizona Bowl. In 2024, Colorado State ranked 23rd nationally and led the Mountain West with nine fumble recoveries while the 19 turnovers gained ranked fourth in the conference.

Pilapil spent the 2021 season as an assistant defensive line coach at Montana State, working with current  Wake Forest safety's coach Freddie Banks. Led by the push of Pilapil's defensive line group, Montana State finished the year with 42.0 sacks. Pilapil helped lead the No. 6 scoring defense in the FCS to the national championship game.

Working as a defensive graduate assistant for the Wildcats in 2020, Pilapil assisted a Kansas State defense that ranked seventh in the nation in interception-return touchdowns and 24th in sacks, the latter being the Wildcats' best mark in five years. Kansas State pulled off one of the biggest upsets in program history, taking down No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman.

Serving as a defensive quality control coach for Coach Jake Dickert's defensive at Wyoming in 2019, the Cowboys were sixth in the country in red zone defense, No. 11 in the country in rush defense (107.1) and scoring defense (17.8), No. 40 tackles-for-loss (83) and No. 43 in total defense.

Pilapil was a four-year linebacker for Wyoming from 2015 to 2018. He totaled 69 tackles during his time with the Cowboys, including a career-high 31 stops during his junior season to help lead Wyoming to an 8-5 record and a victory in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

A native of Torrance, California, Pilapil was named to the Academic All-Mountain West Conference team four-straight seasons, and he was selected to the 2019 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.
Pilapil, who is married to his wife Kayla and they have a son, Tatum (TJ), earned his bachelor's degree in communication from Wyoming in May 2018.

Colorado State (2022-2024):
Over the last three seasons with the Rams as linebackers coach, Pilapil and Colorado State improved their record each season including an 8-4 record in 2024 and an appearance in the Arizona Bowl. In 2024, Colorado State ranked 23rd nationally and led the Mountain West with nine fumble recoveries while the 19 turnovers gained ranked fourth in the conference.
Overall in his three seasons, Colorado State ranked fourth in the conference in turnovers forced per game, totaling 53 in just 36 games played.
Pilapil was selected to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in December of 2024. He was chosen from a field of over 200 high-quality applicants and was one of three named to the field from the Mountain West and the first Colorado State coach to be a part of the 35 Under 35 program.
Inheriting a blend of young and experienced talent, he saw all four of his backers finish among the top 13 in tackles for the team in 2022. Dequan Jackson earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors after recording 100 tackles, including 6.0 for loss, while Cam'Ron Carter ranked third on the team with 76 stops.

Montana State (2021):
Pilapil spent the 2021 season as an assistant defensive line coach at Montana State, working with current  Wake Forest safety's coach Freddie Banks. Led by the push of Pilapil's defensive line group, Montana State finished the year with 42.0 sacks. Defensive end Daniel Hardy recorded 16.0 sacks, good for fourth-most in program history on his way to First Team All-American honors. Pilapil helped lead the No. 6 scoring defense in the FCS to the national championship game. It was the Bobcats' first appearance in the FCS national championship game since 1984.
The Bobcat defense allowed just 10 or fewer points in seven of 15 games in 2021. Pilapil's defense line played a major part in a squad that allowed just 15.0 points per game and 310.1 yards of total offense, the 14th-best mark in the FCS. The Bobcats collected 42 sacks (12th) and generated 24 turnovers (17th), including 18 interceptions (4th) on the season.

Kansas State (2020):
Working as a defensive graduate assistant for the Wildcats in 2020, Pilapil assisted a Kansas State defense that ranked seventh in the nation in interception-return touchdowns and 24th in sacks, the latter being the Wildcats' best mark in five years. The Wildcats had four All-Big 12 performers, including first-team honoree Wyatt Hubert as the defensive end ranked 16th in the nation and third in the Big 12 in sacks. Hubert went on to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. Kansas State pulled off one of the biggest upsets in program history, taking down No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman. 

Wyoming (2019):
Serving as a defensive quality control coach for Head Coach Jake Dickert's defensive at Wyoming in 2019, the Cowboys were sixth in the country in red zone defense, No. 11 in the country in rush defense (107.1) and scoring defense (17.8), No. 40 tackles-for-loss (83) and No. 43 in total defense. Pilapil mentored All-American linebacker and Butkus Award Finalist Logan Wilson while redshirt-freshman defensive end Solomon Byrd was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

As a player:
Pilapil was a four-year linebacker for Wyoming from 2015 to 2018. He totaled 69 tackles during his time with the Cowboys, including a career-high 31 stops during his junior season to help lead UW to an 8-5 record and a victory in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Cowboys ranked first in the nation in takeaways that year, while they were ninth in scoring defense, 13th in pass defense and 23rd in total defense.

As a senior in 2018, Pilapil was part of a Cowboy defense that ranked 19th nationally in total defense, 25th in rushing defense, 28th in scoring defense and 32nd in pass defense. Pilapil had 25 tackles and added a pass breakup during his senior campaign, which included a career-high nine stops against Wofford.

A native of Torrance, California, Pilapil was named to the Academic All-Mountain West Conference team four-straight seasons, and he was selected to the 2019 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.

Family:
Pilapil is married to the former Kayla Cryer and they have one son, Tatum (TJ).

Postseason History

Coaching History

NFL Players (Round Drafted)

• LB Dequan Jackson (UDFA) - Colorado State '23 - Miami Dolphins
• DE Daniel Hardy (7th) - Montana State '22 - Los Angeles Rams

Personal Information

• Hometown: Torrance, Calif.  
• Education: 2018 - Bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming
• Spouse: Kayla
• Son: Tatum (TJ)