Reston Native Helps Coach Indiana To National Championship

RESTON, VA — A former NFL coach from Reston was one of the coaches that helped lead the Indiana University football team to its first national championship on Monday night. The Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, and finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record.

With the victory, Reston native Ola Adams completed his second season as safeties coach at Indiana under Head Coach Curt Cignetti.

While a student at South Lakes High School, Adams lettered in football, basketball, and track. After serving as a student-coach at Concord University in West Virginia, he went on to coach at a succession of colleges and universities, including Temple, Columbia, Villanova, and Penn State. He was also an NFL coach for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and the Denver Broncos.

Following IU's victory, Adams posted a video on X showing him hugging Eddie Royal on the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Royal works as a college football analyst at ESPN's ACC Network and was an NFL wide receiver. He also lived in Reston and played for South Lakes High School.

"My best friend since we were 9 years old," Adams said on X. "We grew up in section 8 Stonegate, Reston, Va. Single Mothers. He set the bar. I followed. Only the man above could allow him to call our National Championship game. One of the best moments of my life!"

My best friend since we were 9 years old.
We grew up in section 8 Stonegate, Reston, Va.
Single Mothers.
He set the bar. I followed.
Only the man above could allow him to call our National Championship game.
One of the best moments of my life!@EddieRoyalWR I love you bro. pic.twitter.com/GN7JF5HqJ0
— Coach Ola Adams (@CoachOlaAdams) January 20, 2026