Frank Adams coached the Knox men’s basketball team for five seasons from 1955 to 1960. His .655 (74-39) career winning percentage is the best in Knox history. Adams also coached baseball and football at Knox.
Adams led the Knox men’s basketball team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 1957-58 and 1958-59. His teams also won the Midwest Conference title three straight seasons in 1957-58, 1958-59, and 1959-60. In each of the two years at the NCAA Tournament, the team won their first round matchup before falling in the second round to the eventual National Champion. Both teams are enshrined in the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame, and the 1958-59 team finished 20-3 overall and 15-1 in the Midwest Conference. The 1958-59 team is the only Knox basketball team to reach the 20-win mark, and the 15-1 mark in Midwest Conference play is still the best in College history.
Bill Graning ’60 remembers a coach dedicated to his craft and philosophy. “Coach Adams wanted his best five players on the court at the end of the game, he coached that unnecessary fouling hurt a team’s chances to win close games. He stressed free throw proficiency and allocated a considerable amount of practice time to shooting free throws. He chose the makeup of his team to consist of both upper and lower classmen and made a conscious effort to get as many players into the game as practical, thus building toward his upcoming teams’ experiences and success.”
Gary Hoopes ’59 recounts the calming presence and leadership of his former coach. “He knew how to motivate his team to win. He had a calm demeanor and never lost his cool.”
Mel (Junior) Brown ’59 references the relationships that Coach Adams built with his players. “He was an excellent coach to play for and got the most out of the players because of the relationship he created with them. He made one feel that you wanted to perform at your highest level because the rest of your teammates were doing the same.”
Mondo Lopez ’58 reiterates that, “Coach Adams always challenged his team to play the best they could. Yet, he did it in a manner that was respectful of the players; and in a way that reflected . . . the high standards for conduct that I believe Knox College to have. It was not whether Coach Adams’ teams won or lost, but what—in my view—in the end, he contributed to the lives of his players.”
