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Heir Apparent: Adams tapped as new Plano boys soccer head coach
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
For the first time in more than 35 years, there will be a new face patrolling the sidelines for the Plano Senior boys soccer team.
Fortunately for the Wildcats faithful, it'll be one that they've grown accustomed to over the past eight seasons as assistant coach Doug Adams has been promoted to head coach, taking the place of Bob Weir, who retired at the conclusion of the 2012 season.
"It's always a sad day when a legend decides to give up his post," Adams said. "[Weir is] still in good health, but just got to the point where he felt like it was his time to leave. But I'm excited for the chance to show what I can do and prove that I'm the right coach for the job."
"I was lucky enough to get the nod," Adams said. "It was nice of them to show enough confidence in me to take over the head coaching spot."
The gig marks Adams' first as a head coach at the varsity level after having previously coached as an assistant at South Grand Prairie for four years. After taking a couple years off to spend time with his family, Adams moved to Plano, where a position eventually opened up for a junior varsity coach.
Adams took the post and hasn't looked back over the past eight years.
In that time, he's been able to get acclimated with the standards of the program, establishing a comfort level that should pay plenty of dividends with the new promotion.
"I'm exceedingly lucky with where I am," Adams said. "I already have a good rapport with the parents and the booster club, plus I know the kids and have been working with them for the past eight years. They know what to expect out of practice and the games."
He's also had the luxury of learning from one of the state's most revered high school soccer coaches.
During his 35-year stay with the Wildcats, Weir helped evolve Plano into one of the state's elite programs, evidenced by 512 wins and a record six UIL State Championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2009). Adams was a part of the staff that captured the 2009 title.
"There are so many things that I've learned from coach Weir," Adams said. "He was very good at not over-coaching. He'd get out there and talk to them, explain things and work with them; but after a while, he'd let them play. He had this 'let it roll off your back' mentality, especially after a game. A lot of what he does at practice emphasizes chemistry between the players, which has helped me in the long run in learning how important chemistry is for this team."
There are, however, demands that come with filling the shoes left by someone with Weir's legacy.
"I'm very excited, but also a little nervous," Adams said. "When you have to follow a legend like coach Weir, it's a little nerve-wracking at first once you get in there. He was such a positive person and has done so many good things for this school, you don't want to let the program down."
Valuing his time spent with Weir, Adams has used those teachings to help mold his own coaching approach while also understanding the rigors and demands needed to excel at the highest level of high school soccer.
"My main philosophy is getting out there and giving all you've got," Adams said. "Nothing is ever enough and if you give it everything you've got, you have nothing to be ashamed about. If you do that and just lose to a team who simply brings a better game to the field than you do, now you know what you have to work toward."
Though the first leg of Adam's latest career move is still several months away, he remains optimistic on where the Wildcats' program stands.
The next task will be toeing the same line set by his predecessor.
"My mission as a head coach is to maintain this program at a very positive level on and off the field," Adams said. "I want to create a program in which the boys will be successful, not just on the soccer field but in their academic and personal lives, and be lifelong contributors to society."
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