Coaches | Houston Texans - HoustonTexans.com

Stephen Adegoke enters his eighth season of coaching, fifth in the NFL, as he returns for his fourth season as the Houston Texans' safeties coach in 2026. Prior to his time in Houston, he spent the 2022 season as the San Francisco 49ers defensive quality control coach working alongside former 49ers defensive coordinator and current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

In 2025, Adegoke helped coach a defense that ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed per game (277.2), second in points allowed per game (17.4), fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (93.7) and sixth in passing yards allowed per game (183.5). The unit set a single-season franchise record for fewest total net yards allowed per game and tied the franchise mark for fewest points allowed per game. The defense also forced 29 turnovers, tied for the third-most in the NFL in 2025 and tied for the third-most in franchise history. Adegoke guided S Calen Bullock to his first career Pro Bowl after he recorded 64 tackles (44 solo), 10 passes defensed, four interceptions and one forced fumble; in Week 12 against Buffalo, Bullock posted two interceptions and a forced fumble, becoming the only player in the NFL that season and one of two in franchise history to record at least two interceptions and one forced fumble in a single game. S Jalen Pitre also had a strong season, totaling 73 tackles (43 solo), three tackles for loss, 12 passes defensed and four interceptions in 14 games (13 starts); since entering the league in 2022, he is one of four players to record at least 30 passes defensed and 20 tackles for loss. The Texans became the first team since the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars to have four players each record at least four interceptions in a single season (CB Derek Stingley Jr., CB Kamari Lassiter, Pitre and Bullock).

In 2024, under Adegoke's guidance, Bullock was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after playing in all 17 games (13 starts) and totaling 51 tackles, 11 passes defensed and five interceptions. His five interceptions were the second-most by a rookie in franchise history, led all rookies this season and stand as the most by a rookie safety since 2000. In Week 12, Adegoke helped S Jimmie Ward become the first safety in NFL history and seventh player all-time to post six tackles, including three tackles for loss and one interception return for a touchdown in a game. Additionally in the AFC Wild Card game, S Eric Murray recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown and became the fourth player in franchise history to record a pick-six in a playoff game.

In his first season with the Texans, Adegoke led a safeties unit that contributed to a much-improved Houston defense in 2023. Adegoke played a role in the growth of second-year S Jalen Pitre and veteran Ward, who Adegoke coached during his time with the 49ers. Ward tallied 50 tackles (33 solo), three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one game winning interception in Week 13 vs. Denver (12/3).

In his first NFL coaching role, Adegoke helped coach a 49ers defense that held their opponents to the lowest total yards per game (300.6) and the most interceptions (20) in 2022. The team also surrendered just 17.1 first downs per game and 77.7 rushing yards per game, both of which ranked second in the league. San Francisco's defensive unit saw second-year player S Talanoa Hufanga reach his first-career Pro Bowl and was named AP First-Team All-Pro, PFWA All-NFL Team and PFWA All-NFC Team.

Prior to joining the 49ers coaching staff, Adegoke served as a graduate assistant for the University of Michigan (2021) working under Jim Harbaugh. At Michigan, Adegoke guided a defense that was led by consensus All-American DL Aidan Hutchinson. As a senior, Hutchinson posted 62 tackles (36) and 14.0 sacks, which set a new school record for most sacks in a single season. The Wolverines defensive unit allowed just 17 points per game and claimed a Big Ten Conference Championship, and a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Adegoke began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the University of Florida for two seasons (2019-20). He helped the Gators defense finish tied for seventh in the country and first in the SEC with 35.0 sacks on the 2020 season. Florida's defense also totaled the second-most tackles for loss in the conference (73) and held opponents to 257.5 passing yards per game that season.

Adegoke spent three years at Mississippi State University (2016-18) after transferring from San Diego Mesa College (2014-15). In two seasons as a safety for Mississippi State (2017-18), he appeared in 16 games and registered 14 tackles, three passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Mississippi State in 2018 followed by his master's degree in sport management from Florida in 2021. Name is pronounced add-uh-go-KAY.