TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Football Offensive Graduate Assistant Adam Breneman has been promoted to Tight Ends Coach, Head Coach Herm Edwards announced.
Breneman, who was on the coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant for one season, has been identified as one of the rising stars in the profession. He has already made an impact during his short time in Tempe with his energy and work ethic. With the addition of Breneman as the Tight Ends Coach, Sun Devil Football continues to build a driven and diverse staff with a passion to develop student-athletes.
"One of my responsibilities as a football coach is to develop young coaches in the profession," says Head Coach Herm Edwards. "I am pleased to be able to promote Adam to the position of tight ends coach. Adam is one of the brightest young coaches in our business. He's very smart and super enthusiastic. He's proven to be a tireless recruiter, which is a relationship-based area. Adam will be a tremendous addition to our full-time staff."
The two-time All-American tight end knows what it takes to play the position, having shined at the University of Massachusetts. He got a taste of coaching thanks to his graduate assistant role, having an influence in several position rooms, particularly the tight end group. Breneman also established himself as a crucial part of the recruiting process, helping the Sun Devils identify and secure top talent from across the country.
"I'd like to thank Coach Herm Edwards and Coach Zak Hill for the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Arizona State University," Breneman remarked. "I am excited to help develop the young men in our program and recruit the best student-athletes in the nation to play for Arizona State."
Arizona State's longest pass play of the season came courtesy of a tight end, as Curtis Hodges streaked through the middle of the Wildcat defense for a 74-yard touchdown catch in the Territorial Cup victory. Hodges finished the season with three catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in only three games. In 26 career games prior to 2020, Hodges had only accumulated 129 receiving yards. John Stivers, Kyle Horn, and Case Hatch earned high praise for their willingness and ability to block, a trademark characteristic of Breneman's.
He was dominant during a breakout junior season in which he emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country, catching 70 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. He managed to nearly match his production in one less game as a senior, making 64 catches for 764 yards and four touchdowns. After each season, he was awarded with All-American distinction by several national publications.
While in college he founded "Catch The Cure", which raised money for ALS research. Over the span of eight months, the major fundraising campaign orchestrated by Breneman and his colleagues raised over $250,000, earning them several humanitarian awards. The two-time captain was a leader of the team and was a finalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award and won the Michael Boland Leadership Award as a senior.
Breneman was invited to the Senior Bowl and on a trajectory to pursue an NFL career, but a degenerative knee injury prematurely ended his football career. Already having secured his Bachelor's degree in Business Management in 2015 from Penn State, Breneman earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2017. He went on to serve as a Campaign Manager for a Pennsylvania Congress seat in 2018, a role he excelled in while enrolled and playing football at UMass. Later he was hired as a Consultant and Director of Marketing at Maverick Strategies, where he refined his promotional skills. At the same time, Breneman stayed involved with the game, serving as a College Football Analyst for a Penn State media publication.
Coming out of Cedar Cliff High School, Breneman was considered one of the top recruits in the nation. The consensus five-star prospect could have gone anywhere in the country, but chose to stay home and attend Penn State. He enjoyed immediate success, becoming a freshman All-American in 2013. Battling injuries over the next two seasons, Breneman opted for a fresh start of the University of Massachusetts and went on to a record-breaking career for the Minutemen.
Currently considered one of the sharpest up-and-coming coaches nationally, Breneman officially joins an already decorated coaching staff in Tempe. 247Sports recently tabbed him as one of the "Top 30 Coaches Under 30", an honor he received along with current ASU Defensive Backs coach Chris Hawkins. In addition to the sports industry honor, Breneman was received the Harrisburg 20 in their 20's Award as one of the most successful young individuals from Southern Pennsylvania.
Breneman, who was on the coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant for one season, has been identified as one of the rising stars in the profession. He has already made an impact during his short time in Tempe with his energy and work ethic. With the addition of Breneman as the Tight Ends Coach, Sun Devil Football continues to build a driven and diverse staff with a passion to develop student-athletes.
"One of my responsibilities as a football coach is to develop young coaches in the profession," says Head Coach Herm Edwards. "I am pleased to be able to promote Adam to the position of tight ends coach. Adam is one of the brightest young coaches in our business. He's very smart and super enthusiastic. He's proven to be a tireless recruiter, which is a relationship-based area. Adam will be a tremendous addition to our full-time staff."
The two-time All-American tight end knows what it takes to play the position, having shined at the University of Massachusetts. He got a taste of coaching thanks to his graduate assistant role, having an influence in several position rooms, particularly the tight end group. Breneman also established himself as a crucial part of the recruiting process, helping the Sun Devils identify and secure top talent from across the country.
"I'd like to thank Coach Herm Edwards and Coach Zak Hill for the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Arizona State University," Breneman remarked. "I am excited to help develop the young men in our program and recruit the best student-athletes in the nation to play for Arizona State."
First-year offensive coordinator Zak Hill's offense saw featured an increase use of the tight end, including some two tight end formations. Breneman served as a mentor to tight ends/h-backs Curtis Hodges, Kyle Horn, John Stivers, and Case Hatch as they made the scheme transition. Not only was the group implemented into the passing game, they were a key reason why Arizona State averaged the most rushing yards by the program since 1981 (264 yards/game). Breneman's reputation as an all-around tight end was reflected in the performance of Sun Devil tight ends a season ago.There's nowhere better!! ???? https://t.co/T9nvwFhxLD
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) August 5, 2020
Arizona State's longest pass play of the season came courtesy of a tight end, as Curtis Hodges streaked through the middle of the Wildcat defense for a 74-yard touchdown catch in the Territorial Cup victory. Hodges finished the season with three catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in only three games. In 26 career games prior to 2020, Hodges had only accumulated 129 receiving yards. John Stivers, Kyle Horn, and Case Hatch earned high praise for their willingness and ability to block, a trademark characteristic of Breneman's.
The Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native was a two-time John Mackey Award Semifinalist, an award given to the top tight end in the country. Breneman left Amherst as one of the top tight ends in program history, enjoying an extremely productive two-year career after transferring from Penn State. He compiled 134 receptions, a school-record 1,572 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 23 career games with the Minutemen.Appreciate that coach AB! https://t.co/AyQ6yVcFmc
— Curtis Hodges Jr. (@CurtisHodges9) December 12, 2020
He was dominant during a breakout junior season in which he emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country, catching 70 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. He managed to nearly match his production in one less game as a senior, making 64 catches for 764 yards and four touchdowns. After each season, he was awarded with All-American distinction by several national publications.
While in college he founded "Catch The Cure", which raised money for ALS research. Over the span of eight months, the major fundraising campaign orchestrated by Breneman and his colleagues raised over $250,000, earning them several humanitarian awards. The two-time captain was a leader of the team and was a finalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award and won the Michael Boland Leadership Award as a senior.
Breneman was invited to the Senior Bowl and on a trajectory to pursue an NFL career, but a degenerative knee injury prematurely ended his football career. Already having secured his Bachelor's degree in Business Management in 2015 from Penn State, Breneman earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2017. He went on to serve as a Campaign Manager for a Pennsylvania Congress seat in 2018, a role he excelled in while enrolled and playing football at UMass. Later he was hired as a Consultant and Director of Marketing at Maverick Strategies, where he refined his promotional skills. At the same time, Breneman stayed involved with the game, serving as a College Football Analyst for a Penn State media publication.
Coming out of Cedar Cliff High School, Breneman was considered one of the top recruits in the nation. The consensus five-star prospect could have gone anywhere in the country, but chose to stay home and attend Penn State. He enjoyed immediate success, becoming a freshman All-American in 2013. Battling injuries over the next two seasons, Breneman opted for a fresh start of the University of Massachusetts and went on to a record-breaking career for the Minutemen.
Currently considered one of the sharpest up-and-coming coaches nationally, Breneman officially joins an already decorated coaching staff in Tempe. 247Sports recently tabbed him as one of the "Top 30 Coaches Under 30", an honor he received along with current ASU Defensive Backs coach Chris Hawkins. In addition to the sports industry honor, Breneman was received the Harrisburg 20 in their 20's Award as one of the most successful young individuals from Southern Pennsylvania.