David Adams

Dave Adams is in his first season as an assistant coach for the St. Olaf football program and serves as the wide receivers coach.

Adams returns to the collegiate coaching ranks after retiring from the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2023, most recently serving five years as the Public Affairs Officer (Major) for the historic 34th Red Bull Infantry Division based in Arden Hills, Minn. His time in the military included a deployment to the Middle East in 2018-2019 which kept him out of coaching for two years.

Adamss' coaching history includes two collegiate national championships, four conference championships, and high school section and conference championships. He coached the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year while at Rochester Community and Technical College in defensive tackle Dustin Loomen, who also holds school records for career sacks (27), tackles for loss (64), and safeties (3.5). His experience spans the NCAA, NJCAA, high school, and semi-pro levels as head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and position coach.

Before coming to St. Olaf, Adams spent the previous two seasons coaching at Orono High School (Minn.). Orono advanced to the state semifinals in 2021 and the section championship in 2022.

Adams received a bachelor’s degree in history from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and earned a master’s in business administration from Augsburg University in Minneapolis. He graduated from Triton High School (Minn.), where he was a three-year starter and senior captain for the Cobras' first section championship team. He played for and later coached at Triton under Minnesota High School Football Hall of Fame Coach Don Henderson.

Adams resides in Orono with his wife, Patti.

Quick Facts
Hometown: Dodge Center, Minnesota
High School: Triton H.S.
College/Degree: Rochester Community and Technical College/Associate in Arts
College/Degree: Minnesota State University, Mankato/B.A. History
College/Degree: Augsburg University/Masters of Business Administration
College/Degree: Sports Management Worldwide/Football GM & Scouting Certification
Wife: Patti
Children: Keaton, Amelia, Brielle, Ava, Elise

Coaching Experience
2023 - St. Olaf College - Wide Receivers
2021-2022 - Orono High School, MN - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2020 - East Ridge High School, MN - Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
2017 - Hill-Murray School, MN - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2016 - New Life Academy, MN - Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2015 - North Bank Bulls, MN (semi-pro) - Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
2014-2015 Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, MN - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers/Consultant
2012-2013 - St. Paul Pioneers, MN (semi-pro) - Linebackers/Running Backs
2013 - New Life Academy, MN - Defensive Line/Offensive Line
2007 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2005-2006 - Wabasha-Kellogg High School, MN - Head Football Coach/Head Strength Coach
2004 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
2002 - Minnesota State University, Mankato - Student Assistant/Running Backs/Linebackers
2001 - Triton High School, MN - Linebackers/Offensive Line/JV Defensive Coordinator
2000 - Rochester Giants, MN (semi-pro) - Co-Founder/Co-Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
1999-2000 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Defensive Line
1998 - Triton High School, MN – Defensive Line/Offensive Line/JV Defensive Coordinator

College Postseason Experience
2007 - Rochester Community and Technical College – Conference Champions/Undefeated NJCAA DIII National Champions
2004 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Conference Champions/Snow Bowl Runner-Up
2000 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Conference Champions/Pepsi-Cola Bowl Champions/Undefeated NJCAA DIII National Champions
1999 - Rochester Community and Technical College - Conference Champions/Pepsi-Cola Bowl Runner-Up