Coach Adam Melanson enters his 6^th season as the defensive line coach with the Acadia Axemen. Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Adam took over the defensive line in 2018 after playing 5 years for the Axemen where he earned AUS Rookie of the Year, 3 AUS all-star selections, AUS Lineman of the Year, and was a two time All-Canadian. Adam finished his AUS career with the 7th most sacks in conference history with 16.5. and ranks 2^nd amongst defensive tackles in career sacks.

Adam graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and was an academic All-Canadian at Acadia. He now works locally as a youth care counsellor and volunteers as the defensive coordinator for the Football Nova-Scotia u-16 provincial football team.