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Jared Adams Northside HS Athletic Director Age 32 Residence: Washington

Bath native Jared Adams played football, basketball, golf and baseball while at Northside High School. The 2009 graduate played club golf while obtaining his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education with a Math concentration from East Carolina University. The 32-year old Adams wasn’t planning on returning to his alma mater, but has been in charge of the Panthers athletic program since the 2019-20 school year. He is also the head boys basketball coach and the golf coach at NHS.

1. What was your plan when you graduated from ECU?

To get into coaching basketball on the college level somewhere, but obviously my path led me back here. I graduated in December of 2013 and there were jobs open at Ayden-Grifton HS and here. I also interviewed for a basketball staff position at Appalachian State and made the final three. I started in February of 2014 and haven’t looked back. I had coached baseball in the Belhaven rec league every summer under Mike Proctor and also helped him maintain the fields. That helped me discover my passion for coaching. I coached the JV basketball team under him here and when he retired to deal with his health issues, I took over as AD. It was definitely the right call to come here. I’ve always loved sports and knew I wanted to coach when I couldn’t play anymore. 

2. Who influenced you?

My dad and Mike Proctor. My dad taught me how to compete and how to stay with things until the job was done right. I learned to compete through golf and still really enjoy playing and coaching it. I think it instills character and it’s a sport you can play your whole life. Coach Proctor taught me how to run a solid program, how to have productive practices and how to deal with all the other things you have to handle in a high school situation. I’m very grateful to both of them. I’ve also taken a piece or two from every coach I’ve had.

3. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The entire process of going through a season with a particular group of kids is satisfying and rewarding, but the biggest thing is watching kids mature and improve during their time here. Most struggle as freshmen and then to see them put it together at some point is very rewarding. I try to coach them to be better than they were the day before and adopt that mindset. It’s really neat to watch their skills and character improve.

4. What do you do with your spare time?

I got married in November of 2022 and we have a three-month old daughter, so I try to spend as much time as I can with them when I’m home. My wife has been very supportive of my passion for athletics and coaching and has taken more than her share of raising our daughter. I try to help her as much as possible and I like to watch college basketball on TV when I can.

5. What do you like best about Beaufort County?

We like the coastal community aspect and the small town atmosphere. It’s easy to feel comfortable here and it still feels like home. We have a very supportive community here at Northside and I’m grateful for that.