This paper considers the adaptive state-feedback control problem for a class of high-order non-linear systems with unknown control coefficient and time delays. By applying the neural network approximation method and the Nussbaum function approach, the restrictions on non-linear functions and the conditions on the time-varying control coefficient are largely relaxed. In addition, an adaptive neural network state-feedback controller with only one adaptive parameter is successfully constructed by introducing proper Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals and using the backstepping technique. The proposed scheme guarantees the closed-loop system to be semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, a simulation example demonstrates the effectiveness of the controller.