James Adams is in his first season on Purdue’s coaching staff. He joined the Boilermakers in April from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Adams spent last season with the Midshipmen as the cornerbacks coach. Navy finished the 2020 season strong, limiting its final three opponents (Memphis, Tulsa and Army) to under 300 yards of total offense per game.
Prior to his lone season at Navy, Adams spent one year at Western Michigan as the cornerbacks coach, helping lead the Broncos to a 7-6 overall record and a spot in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl.
Cornerback Kareem Ali returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl, the longest play in a bowl game in WMU history and the longest interception return in for a MAC bowl team.
Under Adams’ guidance, cornerback Patrick Lupro earned 2019 third-team All-Mid-American conference honors. He ranked fifth the MAC in interceptions per game (0.25) and seventh is passes defended per game (0.83).
Adams was with current Purdue co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brad Lambert at Charlotte for eight seasons (2011-18), helping to start the program from scratch. Adams served as Lambert’s secondary coach and assisted with special teams.
The 49ers finished 14th among Football Bowl Subdivision teams with a Conference USA-leading 16 interceptions in 2016 and finished fourth in C-USA in pass defense in 2015, Charlotte’s first on the FBS level.
Under the tutelage of Adams, Ben DeLuca earned Freshman All-American honors in 2016 while also leading the nation in forced fumbles in 2017 and the 49ers in tackles in 2018.
Charlotte intercepted 39 passes in its first three seasons of competition, including 15 in its inaugural season in 2013 to ranked 25th nationally on the Football Championship Subdivision level. In 2014, cornerback Terrance Winchester tied for first in C-USA with a team-high four interceptions.
Adams began his full-time coaching career at Wofford, serving as the Terriers cornerbacks coach (2010-11). Wofford won the 2010 Southern Conference championship while ranking first in the conference in total defense and passing defense.
Adams started his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater Wake Forest as a graduate assistant in 2009. He also served as a recruiting assistant in 2008 after his playing career as a linebacker for the Demon Deacons was cut short by injury. Lambert was on Wake Forest’s coaching staff while Adams played and coached.
Adams, a native of Durham, N.C., graduated from Wake Forest in 2006. He and his wife, Tori, have a daughter, Londyn, and a son, Royce.
Adams spent last season with the Midshipmen as the cornerbacks coach. Navy finished the 2020 season strong, limiting its final three opponents (Memphis, Tulsa and Army) to under 300 yards of total offense per game.
Prior to his lone season at Navy, Adams spent one year at Western Michigan as the cornerbacks coach, helping lead the Broncos to a 7-6 overall record and a spot in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl.
Cornerback Kareem Ali returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl, the longest play in a bowl game in WMU history and the longest interception return in for a MAC bowl team.
Under Adams’ guidance, cornerback Patrick Lupro earned 2019 third-team All-Mid-American conference honors. He ranked fifth the MAC in interceptions per game (0.25) and seventh is passes defended per game (0.83).
Adams was with current Purdue co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brad Lambert at Charlotte for eight seasons (2011-18), helping to start the program from scratch. Adams served as Lambert’s secondary coach and assisted with special teams.
The 49ers finished 14th among Football Bowl Subdivision teams with a Conference USA-leading 16 interceptions in 2016 and finished fourth in C-USA in pass defense in 2015, Charlotte’s first on the FBS level.
Under the tutelage of Adams, Ben DeLuca earned Freshman All-American honors in 2016 while also leading the nation in forced fumbles in 2017 and the 49ers in tackles in 2018.
Charlotte intercepted 39 passes in its first three seasons of competition, including 15 in its inaugural season in 2013 to ranked 25th nationally on the Football Championship Subdivision level. In 2014, cornerback Terrance Winchester tied for first in C-USA with a team-high four interceptions.
Adams began his full-time coaching career at Wofford, serving as the Terriers cornerbacks coach (2010-11). Wofford won the 2010 Southern Conference championship while ranking first in the conference in total defense and passing defense.
Adams started his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater Wake Forest as a graduate assistant in 2009. He also served as a recruiting assistant in 2008 after his playing career as a linebacker for the Demon Deacons was cut short by injury. Lambert was on Wake Forest’s coaching staff while Adams played and coached.
Adams, a native of Durham, N.C., graduated from Wake Forest in 2006. He and his wife, Tori, have a daughter, Londyn, and a son, Royce.