Dave Adams is the new man on the University of Lethbridge campus – again.
Adams, the one-time Pronghorn basketball player, U of L alumnus and now two-time coach, was announced as the new head coach of the men's basketball program, Friday. It will be his second tour of duty, after guiding the team in the 2001-02 season, and brings Adams back to a place that's always been in his heart.
"It comes down to being a proud alumni, a proud former player, a proud former coach," Adams says. "I understand the essence, the spirit, the heart and courage of being a Horn. It's a calling. It's a piece I didn't see coming back into my life and yet here I am once again."
Adams, an assistant coach from 1999 through 2001, previously served as interim coach between the Dave Crook and Mike Connolly regimes. Connolly resigned as Horns head coach earlier this spring after missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.
"It is exciting to have Dave back with the Pronghorn family, he brings a high level of enthusiasm and energy to the program," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Services Sandy Slavin.
Adams is quick to state his purpose as leader of the program and doesn't shy away from creating lofty expectations.
"I would not be here today if we did not set our sights on a national championship," he says.
In his only previous season as Horns head coach, the club finished third in the division and fell in three games to the Saskatchewan Huskies in the first round of Canada West playoffs. Connolly took over the roster and qualified for playoffs the next season as well. The Horns have failed to make the playoffs since.
"It is a great honour and humbling experience to be handed the torch of stewardship for Horns Basketball," says Adams. "We are thrilled to accept the exciting challenges ahead."
In addition to his coaching experience at the university level, Adams has been a fixture on the southern Alberta Basketball scene, coaching for more than 30 years at numerous levels.
His coaching career began at Catholic Central High School immediately after his playing career, before moving on to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in 1984. In four seasons with the Kodiaks, Adams compiled a record of 104-28 including three one silver and two bronze ACAC medals.
A Lethbridge resident for 35 years, he also has extensive experience with provincial and national organizations, coaching with the provincial program from 1993-97 and with the Basketball Canada Centre for Performance from 2004 to 2006.
As the Head Coach of the Provincial program, Adams led Team Alberta to a silver medal at the Western Canada Games in 1993. He was also at the helm for silver and bronze medals for Team Alberta at the National Championships.
As a player, Adams suited up for 76 games for the Horns, from 1976-81, having his best season during the 1980-81 season when he averaged 11.9 points per game.
"We invite all those loyal basketball supporters in southern Alberta to join us in the creation of Horns Nation, and to support the Horns as we move into the future," says Adams.
