AdamKleffner

Adam Kleffner is in his first season at Kentucky as an offensive line analyst in 2026.

Prior to moving to the Bluegrass, he spent two seasons on LSU’s coaching staff (2024-25) as the lead offensive analyst for the Tigers, working specifically with the offensive line.

During his time at LSU, the Tigers fielded one of the most productive offenses in program history. In 2024, the unit ranked No. 2 in the SEC and No. 7 nationally in passing offense, averaging 315.2 yards per game through the air. Overall, the Tiger offense, led by first-time starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, finished fifth in the SEC and No. 25 nationally in total offense, averaging 431.5 yards per game.

Four of his offensive linemen were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Will Campbell, a first-round pick by the New England Patriots; Emery Jones, a third-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens; Miles Frazier, taken in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions; and Garrett Dellinger, a seventh-round pick by the Ravens. Freshman center DJ Chester also thrived under Kleffner’s guidance, earning Freshman All-SEC honors.

Kleffner joined LSU’s staff after three seasons as an assistant offensive line coach at Illinois.

In 2022, Kleffner helped Illinois to an 8-5 record, the Illini’s first 8-win season in 15 years. Illinois ranked in the AP Top 25 for five straight weeks, reaching as high as No. 14, and were ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in school history.

The offensive line was one of the most dominant position groups for the Illini, as Illinois’ offensive line was named a Joe Moore Award finalist for the first time in program history. All five starters on the offensive line earned All-Big Ten honors and right tackle Alex Palczewski became the first tackle in Illinois history to earn First-Team All-American honors. The offensive line also paved the way for running back Chase Brown, who ranked fourth in the nation in rushing and was Illinois’ first-ever Doak Walker Award finalist.

Kleffner helped coach one of the most veteran offensive line groups in the nation in 2021, including All-Big Ten performers Doug Kramer (second-team), Vederian Lowe (honorable mention), and Palczewski (honorable mention). The group helped Brown become the 14th 1,000-yard rusher in program history and pull off ranked road wins at No. 7 Penn State and No. 20 Minnesota. The season-defining win at Penn State was fueled by the offensive line, as Brown rushed for 223 yards – the most ever by an opponent at Beaver Stadium – and freshman Josh McCray, who had another 142 rushing yards, the most ever by an Illini true freshman against a Top-25 opponent. For the season, the Illini run blocking was graded No. 14 in the nation according to Pro Football Focus.

In 2020, Kleffner was an assistant offensive line coach at Stephen F. Austin after serving as an assistant offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. The Cowboys’ 2019 offensive line featured three Pro Bowlers in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin.

Kleffner also spent time as an assistant offensive line coach at Missouri in 2018 and four seasons at his alma mater, Portland State, in various offensive coaching roles.

He began his coaching career at Portland State as a quality control coach from 2012–13 before stepping away from coaching to work in the business world. He returned to the Vikings’ staff as a graduate assistant in 2016 and was promoted to offensive line coach in 2017.

Kleffner was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line at Portland State from 2008–11, making 20 career starts for the Vikings. Known for his toughness and physical play in the trenches, he was a key contributor along the offensive front during his career. He graduated from Portland State in 2012 with a degree in business management.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, are both natives of Portland, Oregon.

Adam Kleffner’s Coaching Career