Following-up on something that HoopDirt.com first mentioned back July 16th (Small College Search Updates). James Adams has officially been named as the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach at D3 Saint Elizabeth University (NJ). Here is the official release on the hiring:
James Adams has been named the second head coach in the history of the Saint Elizabeth University men’s basketball program, announced by director of athletics Tom Wagenblast.
Adams was previously on the men’s basketball staff at the University of Richmond for two seasons, and spent the previous four years as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Georgian Court University. At Richmond, Adams directed the Spiders basketball video operation while also contributing to opponent scouting and student-athlete recruitment.
“We are thrilled to have James join our staff at Saint Elizabeth,” said Wagenblast. “He brings a wealth of experience at every level of college basketball, and his New Jersey roots make him an incredible fit.”
Adams and the Spiders reached the NIT Quarterfinals and were ranked as high as 19th in the AP Top 25 during the 2020-21 season, when Richmond finished with a 14-9 record. In his first season with the Spiders in 2019-20, Richmond went 24-7 and 14-4 in conference play to finish second in the Atlantic 10.
While at Georgian Court, Adams was responsible for individual player development, scouting operations, and overseeing academic progress of each player while also directing the team’s recruiting operation and serving as its strength and conditioning coach.
Adams served as an assistant coach with the Jersey Express of the American Basketball Association in 2014- 2015, leading the team to a playoff appearance. With the Express, Adams helped to manage day-to-day basketball operations in addition to assisting with roster management and directing team tryouts.
Adams interned with the basketball programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Park (in 2014-15) and Princeton University (in 2012). He also worked as a compliance intern at Seton Hall University in 2012. Adams graduated from the honors college at the University of South Carolina in 2014 with a degree in sport and entertainment management. A jumper on the Gamecocks track and field team, he was selected to the SEC’s Academic Honor Roll following each of his four seasons.
