A three-year letterman in football and track, Dwight Adams was an All-AIC selection in 1956 and 1957. Adams earned his B.S.E. at Henderson State University in 1958 and began his coaching career the following year, serving as an assistant football coach from 1958 to 1965 at three different high schools including Bearden, Smackover and Pine Bluff.
Nicknamed "Hoss," Adams went on to serve as an assistant coach at The Citadel (1966-72) and Clemson (1973-78).
In 1977, the Tigers finished second in Atlantic Coast Conference and played in the Gator Bowl. The following season, Clemson finished the year with an 11-1 record overall and won the ACC championship going 6-0. The Tigers beat Ohio State 17-15 in the Gator Bowl.
Adams then coached at the University of Florida from 1978 to 1984 where he was outside linebacker coach and special teams’ coordinator. While at Florida, the Gators played in four bowl games including winning the 1983 Gator Bowl, beating Iowa 14-6.
In 1984, the Gators finished the year with a 9-1-1 record and were 5-0-1 in the ACC. Despite not being eligible to participate in the Sugar Bowl, the Associated Press and United Press International still voted Florida as national champions.
Upon leaving Florida, Adams went to work for the Buffalo Bills, a career move that saw him rise to the position of vice president for player personnel. During his stay in Buffalo, the Bills played in three Super Bowls.
