in 1998, adams became an assistant coach for the milwaukee bucks under george karl. after five seasons in milwaukee, adams became assistant coach for the chicago bulls, mostly under scott skiles. he then was assistant for the oklahoma city thunder under scott brooks from 2008 to 2010. afterwards, adams rejoined the bulls in 2010 as assistant coach this time under tom thibodeau. following three seasons with the bulls, adams became an assistant coach for the boston celtics in 2013, under first-year head coach brad stevens.