Cedar Grove did well promoting a football assistant the last time there was an opening at the top. The Saints took that route again Tuesday, announcing John Adams as head coach.
Adams has been Cedar Grove’s defensive backs coach since 2016 and during all three of the program’s state titles. He previously coached at Miller Grove, North Atlanta and Northwest Rankin in Mississippi.
Adams is a Southwest DeKalb graduate who played football under coach Buck Godfrey. He played baseball for two years at South Carolina and finished up his undergraduate degree at Jackson State in 2007.
Adams is replacing Miguel Patrick, who became head coach at Class 3A rival Crisp County. Patrick was promoted from defensive coordinator in 2019 and won a state title in his debut.
Cedar Grove was coached by Jimmy Smith from 2013 to 2018 and won state titles in 2016 and 2018. Smith is now running backs coach at Arkansas.
Cedar Grove was 3-5 last season, but four losses were forfeits for the use of an ineligible player. Cedar lost to Crisp 16-13 in the 3A quarterfinals.
About the Author
