Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Phone:
- 205-348-4551
- Hometown: Pine Plains, N.Y.
- Education: Connecticut College, 2006 (bachelor's)
- Birthday: August 23
- 2024-present: Alabama, Assistant Coach
- 2023-24: Detroit Pistons, Assistant Coach
- 2023: Taipei Taishin Mars, Head Coach
- 2020-23: Philadelphia 76ers, Assistant Coach
- 2018-20: Agua Caliente Clippers, Head Coach
- 2014-18: Los Angeles Clippers, Associate Coach
- 2013-14: Marist College, Assistant Coach
- 2011-13: Harvard University, Assistant Coach
- 2007-11: Boston Celtics, Video Coordinator
Brian Adams begins his second season as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama after his hiring in July of 2024. Adams is adjusting to his role of developing a strong defensive identity for the Crimson Tide, making an immediate impact last season that led Alabama to the Elite Eight. The veteran assistant coach helped boost Alabama's production on the glass as well last season, ranking No. 2 in the country in rebounds per game. The New York native has a prolific resume of creating strong defenses across multiple levels of basketball such as producing six top-5 defenses throughout his tenure in the NBA, including a No. 1 defense in 2008 with the NBA champion Boston Celtics.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brian Adams to our staff and will be a huge asset to our program," head coach Nate Oats said. "Brian came highly recommended from a lot of coaches throughout the NBA and college ranks and is known for his relentless work ethic and the energy he brings. Brian's primary focus will be on the defensive end and has excelled on that end of the court throughout his coaching career. Not only is Brian a great coach but is also a high character individual and has coached in the NBA where our players eventually want to continue their careers. We are excited to welcome him and his family to Tuscaloosa."
Alabama - Assistant Coach (2024-Present)
- Played a prominent role in helping Alabama reach the Elite Eight for the second season in a row
- Helped Mark Sears achieve an All-America First Team selection in his first season as assistant coach
- The Crimson Tide won 28 games in his first season with the Tide (2024-25), which ranks as the second-most wins in a single season in program history
- Has coached a pair of All-SEC selections (Labaron Philon and Mark Sears) during first season at UA
Detroit Pistons - Assistant Coach (2023-24)
- Served an assistant coach under 2022 NBA Coach of the Year Monty Williams
- Worked with players that include Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey
Taipei Taishin Mars - Head Coach (2023)
- Spent one season as the head coach for the Taipei Taishin Mars in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL)
- Reached the finals in the TPBL Playoffs, defeating New Taipei CTBC DEA in the semifinals
Philadelphia 76ers - Assistant Coach (2020-23)
- Spent four seasons under head coach Doc Rivers as an assistant coach
- In three of the four seasons in Philadelphia, the 76ers had three defenses rank in the top 10 in the NBA including the No. 3 defense in 2023 and 2021
- On staff with Joel Embiid during his 2023 MVP season when he averaged 33.1 points per game and his second straight scoring title along with 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game
- Also coached players James Harden, DeAndre Jordan and Tyrese Maxey
- Helped the 76ers finish with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2020-21 season
Agua Caliente Clippers - Head Coach (2018-20)
- Served as the head coach for the Agua Caliente Clippers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers
- During his time with the Agua Caliente Clippers, Adams coached current NBA players Amir Coffey, Terrance Mann and Anfernee Simons
Los Angeles Clippers - Assistant Coach (2014-18)
- Spent five seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Doc Rivers
- Worked with players Jamal Crawford, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, JJ Redick and Austin Rivers
- During his five seasons the Clippers finished in the top-four in the Western Conference four times, including earning the No. 1 seed in 2014
- The Clippers posted a top-five defense three times and as high as No. 3 in 2015 and 2014
Marist College - Assistant Coach (2013-14)
- Spent one season at Marist College as an assistant coach
Harvard University - Assistant Coach (2011-13)
- Spent three seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Tommy Amaker
- Won three straight Ivy League Championships during his time at Harvard
- Won 69 games in three seasons along with a winning percentage of .758
Boston Celtics - Video Coordinator (2007-11)
- Spent seven seasons as video coordinator under head coach Doc Rivers
- Was on staff when the Celtics won the 2008 NBA Championship
- Worked with Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce in addition to Jeff Green, Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace
