It was an easy decision for Tom Adams.
After eight years at the helm of the Auburn Riverside boys basketball program Adams has accepted the Gig Harbor High School boys basketball coaching job.
Adams, who resigned from his position at Auburn Riverside on April 27, said taking over the Tides program is a return home.
“The attractive part of the job was the fact that I went there and have stayed very close to the program over the years,” said Adams, a 1993 graduate of Gig Harbor High School. “Coach (Lyle) McIntosh, who just retired as a hall of fame coach, was my varsity coach and encouraged me to come out there, and Coach (John) Medak, who is still going to coach there and assist me, has been a big supporter of mine as well. I am excited to work with him.”
McIntosh recently retired after 26 years as the Tides’ coach with a 402-257 record, including a state 3A championship in 1996.
Adams said he will assume coaching duties immediately, but will continue to teach and coach golf at Auburn Riverside next year.
“I am going to teach and coach golf at Auburn Riverside next year and continue in what I think is an amazing working environment here,” he said. “I will commute out to Gig Harbor during the fall for open gyms and during the winter for the season. If at the end of the year there is a teaching job for me out there, then I will move out to Gig Harbor High School full time.”
Adams added that he thought the support of both Gig Harbor and Auburn Riverside high schools administration would make juggling his work in Auburn and coaching in Gig Harbor easier.
“The district and building administrations here have been outstanding to work for and with and have been very supportive of my coaching at my alma mater,” he said. “Likewise, the administration at GHHS has been very willing to work with me from a scheduling point of view, so I think it will be as easy as it can be logistically next year.”
Although his new commute, from Auburn to Gig Harbor then back to his home in Bonney Lake, will likely add hours onto his time away from his family, Adams said he was glad for the opportuity to see more of his family located in Gig Harbor.
“My family still lives out there and this will also give me a chance to see more of my two sets of parents and my sisters, which I am also really looking forward to,” Adams added.
He added that no matter where he coaches he will always be a fan of the Raven basketball program.
“I am very excited about the future of Riverside Boys Basketball and I will be a fan of the program for the rest of my life,” he said. “These are great kids with great support behind them and they will get an outstanding coach to lead the program.”
Adams added:
“I’ve been blessed with the relationships I’ve been able to build here with the staff at school, the students, and the players and their families. It’s been a fantastic 11 years of my life and I thank everyone who had a positive impact on me and the program.”