Coach Adams Comes Home

Uncertainty and questions seem to surround the world daily, and while they have been far less dangerous and scary, questions of uncertainty have also been part of the football program at Ferrum College over the last few weeks. When Rob Grande announced his resignation to take a position at Iowa State University, it set into motion a whole host of questions that, for me, left me wondering what the college would do to fill the vacancy.

Yesterday, Ferrum answered that question, and I think it could not have made a better choice. Cleive Adams '02 was named as Ferrum's eighth head football coach since the program began in 1955.

Coach Adams has built a strong program over the last six years as Averett University's head coach. Averett in the last three years has gone 21-9. They have been a strong force in the USA South, and have developed into a definite force on the gridiron. One of the most impressive things about Averett, especially under coach Adams, is their size and ability in the trenches, and their quality at the skilled positions. This is primarially reflective of their success in recruiting. I have been duly impressed with the quality of the team that the Cougars have been able to field lately. Ferrum has not beaten Averett since the 2016 season when the Panthers won 14-3. That game was in Danville. Ferrum has not hosted a win over the Cougars since the 2013 season.

To me the hiring of Cleive Adams is a strong statement of the continued support of Ferrum athletics by the college administration. Coach Adams is exactly what Ferrum needs at this time. The progress will be steady, and Ferrum may not come out of the gates as anyone's favorite for the ODAC crown this season, but be patient. Ferrum got the exact coach they needed, and I doubt it will take long before you see Ferrum considered as a strong conference contender.

Welcome home coach Adams!