University of Tennessee Athletics
Rackham Watt Announces Promotion of Tyler Adams
January 19, 2022 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Wednesday, Tennessee volleyball head coach Eve Rackham Watt announced the promotion of assistant coach Tyler Adams to associate head coach.
"Tyler has been an invaluable member of our staff since we arrived on Rocky Top four years ago," Rackham Watt said. "We have a shared vision and are continuing to build each season toward our goals. Tyler is loyal, hardworking and truly committed to making our program the best it can be. I cannot express how grateful I am to have a staff with continuity, which Tyler and Gavin have given us. It is exciting to announce Tyler's well-deserved promotion, and I look forward to growing professionally alongside him for many years to come."
Over the past four seasons, UT holds a 73-37 (48-26 SEC) record and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2021 – advancing to the second round in each appearance. It is the best four-year stretch for the volleyball program since going 99-27 (65-15 SEC) between 2009-12.
In addition to the team success under Adams' tutelage, four Lady Vols have nabbed All-America honors, six have picked up All-SEC Team accolades and one earned All-Freshman Team recognition.
Responsible for scouting, video breakdown and statistical analysis, Adams helped UT achieve statistical marks that ranked among the best in the nation in 2021. The Lady Vols finished the season averaging 3.01 blocks per set, a mark that ranked third-highest nationally and led the Southeastern Conference.
Along with Tennessee's net-front prowess, it ranked 11th in the country in kills per set (14.15) and 17th in assists per set (12.95) and hitting percentage (.271) to finish the year.
Adams has aided in the development of right-side attacker Morgahn Fingall, which led the junior to have a career year in 2021. She finished the season with career-highs in kills (338), hitting percentage (.250), digs (187), aces (16) and blocks (100). Fingall was also tabbed 2021 AVCA Southeast All-Region Honorable Mention.
"I would like to thank Eve Rackham Watt, Angie Boyd Keck and the rest of the Tennessee Athletics administration for this incredible opportunity," Adams said. "The University of Tennessee is an extremely special place, and I am honored to be named associate head volleyball coach. I am excited to continue building a strong culture of success with an exceptionally motivated and driven group of Lady Vols, now and in the future."
A 2008 graduate of UCF, Adams played five years for the Knights' club volleyball team before spending one season playing professionally in Germany. Before he arrived in Knoxville, Adams spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina.
