Adam Pilapil Joins the Bobcats As a Linebackers Coach

Pilapil was an accomplished linebacker for four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys under current K-State linebackers coach and defensive quality control coach Steve Stanard; he ended his career with 69 tackles.

Before any Border War, players typically engage in some friendly banter between themselves; this year might be different as both Freddie Banks and Pilapil have familial ties to one another.

Early Life and Education

Pilapil grew up in Torrance, California. While attending Wyoming, he starred on linebacker for four seasons – earning Academic All-Mountain West team honors and inducting into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. Pilapil began coaching career as graduate assistant in 2019, before moving on to Kansas State for one season as defensive quality control coach before rejoining Montana State’s coaching staff as assistant defensive line coach and eventually linebackers coach under Jay Norvell’s guidance in 2021.

Professional Career

Pilapil lettered in 38 games over four seasons for the Cowboys and made 69 tackles, helping his teams rank 19th nationally for total defense and 25th in rushing defense. A native of Torrance, California he also received Academic All-Mountain West Team honors as well as membership into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.

Pilapil first joined Montana State as linebackers coach in 2021 after spending one season as Kansas State’s defensive quality control assistant, after serving under defensive coordinator Freddie Banks as Kansas State DQC assistant the previous year. Now under Banks, Pilapil will coach Montana State’s middle linebackers position.

Pilapil, who will experience the Border War for the first time as a coach this weekend, doesn’t focus as much on engaging in any trash talk as much as on enjoying being part of one of college football’s great rivalries.

Achievement and Honors

As a junior in 2018, Pilapil was part of Wyoming’s defense that finished 19th nationally for total defense and 25th for rushing defense, earning Academic All-Mountain West status each season of his four year career.

Pilapil amassed 69 career tackles, three pass breakups and one sack before becoming a UW safety. This season will mark his inaugural start as an active UW safety.

Pilapil is an experienced defensive and special teams player who can fill any linebacker position on a given play, ranking second on the Cowboy depth chart after middle linebacker Jordan Wilson.

Nico Evans and Andrew Wingard, two former teammates from Loyola High School in California where Pilapil studied, have been honored with membership into the 2019 Hampshire Honor Society on Wednesday. To be honored with membership into this elite society, student-athletes must achieve an average cumulative GPA of 3.20 or better as well as meeting NCAA progress toward degree requirements while being either starters or significant contributors for their team.

Personal Life

Adam Pilapil joined the Bobcats as linebackers coach under defensive coordinator/defensive run game coordinator Shawn Howe. Originally hailing from Torrance, California – Adam earned academic all-Mountain West honors all four years as well as being honored with membership into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.

Before joining MSU, he served as a graduate assistant at Kansas State working on their defensive line before making the switch to MSU. This weekend will mark their Border War against Wyoming in which CSU head coach Jay Norvell and them will go up against former employers of the Cowboys.

Pilapil is eagerly awaiting the challenge of facing off against the Pokes, having worked to learn new positions and gain muscle for playing middle linebacker.