Official: Nate Oats announces hiring of assistant coach Brian Adams

Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats announced Thursday the hiring of Brian Adams as assistant coach. Adams comes to Tuscaloosa with over a decade worth of coaching in the NBA as an assistant coach. Most recently, Adams served as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons during the 2023-24 season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Adams to our staff and will be a huge asset to our program,” 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.” 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work at the University of Alabama under Nate Oats,” Adams said. “The chance to work for one of the premier college basketball programs in the country and to work for one of the best coaches in the game is very exciting. Coach Oats has implemented an NBA-style system and I am excited to help etch out a defensive identity.” 

Adams also spent time previously as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers, and has coached current NBA players Cade Cunningham, Joel Embiid, James Harden and Anfernee Simons. Adams has also coached oversees, serving as head coach in the professional ranks in Taiwan, for the Taipei Taishin Mars in the T1 League.

The native of Pine Plains, N.Y. has also coached in college with stints at Harvard University and Marist College as an assistant coach.

Brian Adams Bio

• Has worked with NBA stars Cade Cunningham, Joel Embiid, James Harden and Anfernee Simons during his more than 10 years spent coaching in the NBA and G League
• Worked on the Philadelphia 76ers staff that coached Embiid during his MVP season
• Served as an assistant coach in the NBA under Doc Rivers and Monty Williams
• Was on staff for the 2008 Boston Celtics, who won the NBA Championship
• Spent two seasons as the head coach for the Agua Caliente Clippers, the NBA G League affiliate for the Los Angeles Clippers, coaching Amir Coffey and Terrance Mann
• Coaching Experience:
  • 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)

What They Are Saying About Brian Adams

“Brian is a high character, loyal, Roll Tide type dude. He is loyal and will make the Crimson Tide Nation proud with his ability to relate to and elevate the young men who hoop for Alabama.” – Monty Williams, Former Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns Head Coach

“I am very excited for Brian and the University of Alabama. Brian is the perfect fit for the team and Nate’s staff. He has an incredible defensive mind on top of having high character and being a hard worker. Roll Tide.” – Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach

*** This information was acquired from a recent press release from Alabama Athletics. 

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $1! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!