James Adams joined the Colorado State University Pueblo swimming and diving program as its diving coach in 2026, bringing more than 30 years of coaching and competitive diving experience to the ThunderWolves.
A Colorado Springs native, Adams has spent much of his coaching career developing divers at the club and high school levels. Since 2023, he has served as the head coach and owner of Thunderbird Diving in Colorado Springs, where he oversees a club of approximately 30 divers. In that role, Adams conducts daily practices and dryland training, coordinates schedules and travel and prepares athletes for USA Diving regional, zone and national championship competitions.
Prior to returning to Colorado, Adams spent nearly two decades as the head coach and owner of Turn 'n Burn Diving in Riverside, Calif., from 2003-22. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with American Flyers Diving in Cleveland, Ohio, serving in that role from 1996-2003. Adams also served as a volunteer coach at the United States Air Force Academy in 2024.
Throughout his coaching career, Adams has helped numerous athletes advance to the collegiate level and earn college scholarships. He has also been recognized for his work at the high school level, earning Colorado High School Coach of the Year honors in 2025 while coaching at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
Before beginning his coaching career, Adams enjoyed a successful competitive diving career. A 1989 graduate of Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, he was a Colorado state champion and school record holder. Adams competed as a professional high diver from 1989-2004 and earned a silver medal for the United States at the 2003 Acapulco World Cliff Diving Championship.
Adams is a member of USA Diving and AAU Diving and is SafeSport certified.
