Coach Jake Adams enters his fourth season as the throws coach for the men's and women's track and field programs.
In his first indoor season, the throws squad achieved six NAIA A Standard National qualifiers, two NAIA B National qualifiers, two WHAC Champions, eight All-WHAC performances and one NAIA All-American. During his first outdoor season (Davenport's final season as an NAIA Member) DU throwers continued their hot streak earning All-WHAC honors 15 times, including two WHAC Champions and sending eight athletes to the National Championship meet. Where they earned one NAIA All American. In the first two seasons as a GLIAC member, Davenport throwers have earned All-GLIAC 11 times while accumulating four NCAA Division II National Qualifying Standards.
During his time here, DU throwers have re-written the record books capturing eight of the schools possible 10 school records including; men’s indoor weight throw, women’s indoor weight throw, men’s indoor shot put, men’s discus throw, women’s discus throw, men’s outdoor shot put, men’s hammer throw and women’s hammer throw.
Coach Adams spent six years as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s track and field teams prior to his appointment as head coach in 2011 at Northwood University. In his first year as head coach, Adams guided a pair of athletes to All-America honors. In all, Northwood had earned All-GLIAC honors a total of 18 times during the indoor and outdoor seasons while he was head coach.
Adams worked extensively in the throws and the multi events while at Northwood. In his tenure as throws coach, Northwood throwers had earned recognition at the GLIAC and national levels. Since 2005, NU throwers have earned All-GLIAC honors 46 times, qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships 16 times and earned NCAA Division II All-American honors seven times. Eight school records were broken and rewritten 43 times under coach Adams. NU throwers also had success in the classroom; the group has produced eight Academic All-Americans.
Adams earned All-GLIAC honors seven times in his career at Saginaw Valley in the shot put and discus. Adams played for the Cardinal football team while at SVSU as well.
Adams graduated from Saginaw Valley with a degree in exercise science. He is a native of Corunna, Mich. where he was a part of two MHSAA State Championships in track and field for the Corunna Cavaliers. He and his wife Lauren live in East Grand Rapids.
