Willie Adams, an outstanding basketball player and all-around athlete while at Paine College, is entering his 18th year as a member of the Paine College Athletic Department and his fourth season as Head Women’s basketball coach. Coach Adams also served as head Women’s Cross Country Coach for 14 years and head Women’s Track and Field Coach for 13 years.
Prior to taking the reins of the women’s basketball program, Adams was the head assistant coach for the men’s basketball program and women’s track and field coach.
During his tenure as cross country coach, Adams has guided the women’s program from 3rd place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) to 2nd place in 2004. He has coached several players to the All-Conference Team in Cross Country and track & field for several consecutive years. In 1998, Adams coached freshman Samantha Daniels to the All-Conference team in cross country, 1999, Melissa Calhoun to the All-Conference Awards; and Casheba Ellis All-Conference in 2009.
Being successful coaching track & field, Adams has had several players to excel in various events. From 2000 through 2002, Adams coached Clensy Warren (Javelin); LaTasha Russell (Discus); and the 4 X 100 Relay and 4 X 400 Relay teams to All-Conference awards in track and field. He also coached Savoyia Barrett to a Conference Championship in the Javelin (2005-2006) and Lakeisha Bell four straight years to the High Jump Championship (2006-2009).Â
Adams recruited 2011 SIAC Women’s Long jump champion and women’s high jump champion, freshman Baiesha Johnson to Paine College, and was instrumental in Paine College Lady Lions swept the 2011 SIAC high jump competition, with Baiesha Johnson receiving the gold medal, Antionette McPhail-silver, and Victoria Claytor received the bronze medal. Baiesha Johnson also made a solid appearance in the NCAA Division II national championships, where she received the third place medal in the high jump competition.
The Lady Lions wrapped up the 2012-13 basketball season with a 12-16 overall record. Adams' roster included the SIAC's leading scorer, Newcomer of the Year and the no. 4 scorer in all of Division II, Ashley Watts. Kiara Johnson was ranked ninth in Division II in rebounds per game and 22nd in blocked shots per game.Â
A native of Brunswick, Georgia, Adams was an outstanding athlete at Brunswick High School where he lettered four years in basketball, football, and also played baseball. After graduating from high school, Adams attended Lake City Community College, Lake City, Florida; and later transferred to Paine College where he played basketball from 1992-1994. . A natural leader, he served as Team Captain and was a member of the Lions first ever SIAC Championship team and later garnered the Most Improved Player Award. In 1999 and 2002, Adams played an integral role in assisting the Men’s Basketball Championship teams.
Coach Adams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminology from Paine College in 1996 and a Masters of Education Degree from Troy University in 2005. Adams is a graduate of the 2010 ACE academy, and was inducted into the Paine College Hall of Fame in 2011 and again in 2014 as a member of the 1994 SIAC Championship team.
Adams is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Black Coaches and Administrators Association, and the Augusta Chapter of the Paine College Alumni Association. He is married to CeKisha Adams.
