Adams was also an assistant coach at Washington State University from 1989–91, head coach at Western Oregon University from 1985–89, head coach Rocky Mountain College from 1982–85, and assistant coach at Idaho State University from 1979–82. Adams was a program rebuilder taking over three programs that won only 32% of games the season before he became head coach. In his final season as a head coach at those same schools his teams won 65% of their games including two championships.