University of Delaware Athletics
Adams, Nagy Inducted Into Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame
3/7/2022 11:00:00 AM | Football, Delaware Athletics
Michael C. "Mike" "Pops" Adams (1999-2003) and Matt Nagy (1997-2000) will be inducted in an invitation-only ceremony will take place on Friday, April 15 at the Whitney Athletic Center.
Adams and Nagy join Jack Turner (football/baseball), Kathy Tucci (softball/field hockey), Jordan Hall (men's lacrosse), Megan Dellegrotti (women's basketball), Bob Shillinglaw (men's lacrosse), Lenny Williams (football), who were honored in a ceremony during the fall.
The Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame, which originated in 1997, was established to salute outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have contributed to UD's athletic tradition of excellence. Nearly 200 former Blue Hens have been inducted into the hall of fame.
For more information on the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame click here.
MICHAEL C. "MIKE" "POPS" ADAMS
Football (1999-2003)
Inducted in Spring, 2022
The heart and soul of Delaware's 2003 national championship football team, Pops enjoyed a standout career as a defensive back for the Blue Hens and went on to a 16-year Pro Bowl career in the NFL. The Paterson, N.J. native and 2004 Delaware graduate played parts of five seasons at UD, served as captain of the 15-1 national title team, and earned All-Atlantic 10 honors as a senior when he recorded 70 tackles and four interceptions as the leader of one of the nation's stingiest defenses. For his UD career, Mike played in 48 games and recorded 213 tackles, the eighth-highest total ever for a Blue Hen defensive back. He also intercepted 11 passes for his career, ranking 11th all-time at UD. He also returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown vs. West Chester in 2000, the fourth-longest return in school history. He signed a free agent NFL contract with San Francisco in 2004 and went on to a stellar pro career that saw him play in 228 regular season games (the most ever by a UD player in the NFL), record 935 tackles, 30 interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles. He played in the 2014 Super Bowl with Denver and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014 and 2015 while playing for the Indianapolis Colts.
MATTHEW "MATT" NAGY
Football (1997-2000)
Inducted in Spring, 2022
One of the all-time great quarterbacks in Delaware history, Matt was a record-setting signal caller in 1997-2000 who moved on to an outstanding professional playing career and has followed with a distinguished coaching career in the NFL. The Manheim, Pa. native led UD to a four-year mark of 38-12 under Hall of Fame coach Tubby Raymond and made two NCAA playoff appearances, including a berth in the national semifinals in 2000. The strong-armed Nagy, a 2001 UD graduate, earned third team All-American honors as a senior in 2000 when he passed for a school-record 3,436 yards and 29 touchdowns while setting school standards for career completions (502), passing yards (8,214), and touchdowns (58). His 556 yards passing vs. Connecticut in 1998 remains a UD record. He enjoyed a stellar six-year playing career in the Arena Football League in 2002-08. After his playing days, he joined the NFL coaching ranks and has enjoyed outstanding success, including serving as head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2018-21 and earning Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
