Paul Adams (American football coach) explained

Paul Adams
Birth Date:10 July 1936
Birth Place:Waukegan, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Illinois, U.S.
Player Years1:1954–1957
Player Team1:Illinois
Player Positions:Tackle
Coach Years1:1961–1966
Coach Team1:Deerfield HS (IL) (assistant)
Coach Years2:1967–1992
Coach Team2:Deerfield HS (IL)
Overall Record:220–56
Championships:1 IHSA (1975)
Awards:Illinois High School Football Hall of Fame (1991)
Honorific Prefix:Second Lieutenant
Placeofburial:North Chicago, Illinois
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1957–1961
Rank:Second Lieutenant

Paul A. Adams (July 10, 1936 – March 14, 2019) was an American football player and coach. He spent his entire coaching career at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Illinois. In 1991, he was elected to the Illinois State High School Football Hall of Fame,[1] and in 1992, the Waukegan Sports Hall of Fame.[2] Upon his retirement, the Chicago Tribune described him as "legendary"[3] and "king of the north suburbs".[4]

Early life

Adams was born in 1936, in Waukegan, Illinois. He attended and played football at Waukegan High School, and after graduating, attended University of Illinois, where he played football for the Fighting Illini as a tackle and roomed with future Green Bay Packers star Ray Nitschke.[5] [6] Upon graduating, he served in the United States Army until his discharge in 1961, having attained the rank of Second Lieutenant. He then briefly taught at Highland Park High School, before transferring to Deerfield, where he remained until his retirement.[6]

Coaching career

Adams was initially an assistant coach at Deerfield, under then head coach Doug Kay. He became head coach in 1967 after Kay left to become defensive coordinator at Indiana State University. During Adams' tenure, his teams suffered only one losing season, attained a lifetime record of 220-56, and were Illinois State Champions in 1975.[6] DHS were State runners up in 1977, 1981, and 1984, and appeared in the Class 5A State playoffs a record 15 times.[7] In 1976, he participated in the annual University of Michigan football clinic with then New York Jets coach Lou Holtz and Michigan coach Bo Schembechler.[8] Adams and his assistants were noted for their inspiring speeches to their players, and their support for each other during times of crisis; when Adam's mother died in 1986, the entire team attended her funeral.[9] In 1987, the Chicago Tribune listed DHS under Adams as the second most successful football team in the Chicago area over the prior ten years, with a record of 93-19.[10] Over the years, he was frequently noted for his success, and later referred to as "legendary" by multiple publications.[11] [6] [7] [12]

Notable players coached

Notes and References

  1. Web site: All Hall of Famers . ihsfca.com . 18 March 2019.
  2. Senate Resolution number 1148 . Journal of the Senate of the Eighty Seventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois . 540.
  3. News: Sakamoto . Bob . Deerfield's Adams Will Leave Legacy Behind . Chicago Tribune . August 24, 1992 . 11.
  4. News: Sakamoto . Bob . 'Secrets' of Their Success . Chicago Tribune . August 30, 1992 . 19; 22.
  5. News: Graham . Gordon . Graham Crackers . The Journal and Courier . November 5, 1956. 22.
  6. News: Sadin . Steve . Paul Adams, legendary Deerfield football coach, dies at 82 . 18 March 2019 . Deerfield Review . Pioneer Press . March 17, 2019.
  7. News: Deardorff . Julie . Legendary Takeover . Chicago Tribune . September 3, 1993 . 12.
  8. News: staff . U-M Sets Grid Clinic . Detroit Free Press . April 7, 1976.
  9. News: Hoellen . John . Deerfield's character undefeated - even by death . Chicago Tribune . November 14, 1986 . 9.
  10. News: Shnay . Jerry . How Some Programs Stay on Top . Chicago Tribune . August 31, 1987 . 8;14.
  11. News: Vajdik . Melinda . Legendary Coach Paul Adams Cuts Ribbon for New DHS Turf . 18 March 2019 . patch.com . August 31, 2011.
  12. News: staff . Grayslake (5-4) at Prairie Ridge . The Daily Herald . August 29, 1997 . 4.
  13. News: Jurewicz free to excel with Panthers. staff. May 1, 1997. Deerfield Review.
  14. http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=KNAPPLIN01 Lindsay Knapp stats & bio @databasefootbal.com