2023 CSCCa Salary Survey: Findings and Where We Go From Here as a Profession
The 2023-2024 academic year marks a significant milestone in the career of Greg Adamson, who is currently the Associate Director of Olympic Sports Performance at the University of Tennessee. It marks the 11th year at Tennessee leading to over a decade of dedication and expertise invested in the Tennessee athletic realm, Adamson has left an indelible mark on programs he has closely collaborated with. Primarily focused on elevating the performance levels of the Tennessee men’s and women’s swimming & diving and men's golf programs, Adamson's influence has been transformational. In a historic feat in 2020, he was pivotal in guiding the Lady Vols swimming and diving team to their inaugural SEC Championship. This monumental achievement saw the squad secure an impressive 11 medals en route to the team title. The squad followed up that performance two years later, as the Lady Vols dominated their competition to win their second-ever SEC title in 2022. Most recently, Adamson played a crucial role in the development of World Champion and NCAA Champion freestyler Jordan Crooks. The 2023 SEC Swimmer of the Year went from being an unknown recruit in the 2021 class to one of the top athletes in the sport, with much of his success being attributed to the gains made in the weight room thanks to the intense and structured training program by Adamson. Crooks and the Vols swimming & diving team went on to finish seventh at NCAAs, marking the program’s best finish since 2016. Adamson's guidance has ushered in a renaissance in the realm of men's golf. The Vols' 2021 season showcased the fruits of his labor, as the team clinched their first NCAA Championships qualification since 2013 through a stellar second-place finish in NCAA Regionals. This achievement marked the program’s highest NCAA Regional finish in 12 years. Moreover, concluding the season ranked No. 22 in the Golfstat team rankings, the highest final ranking since the 2008-09 season, underscored Adamson's impact. Adamson's expansive expertise extends beyond these achievements. In previous roles, he spearheaded performance training for the Tennessee soccer program, propelling them to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an impressive quarterfinal finish in the 2018 season. The Lady Vols, under his guidance, also made significant strides, making appearances in the SEC Soccer Tournament four times during his tenure. His versatile aptitude is further exemplified by his involvement with the football program, implementing cutting-edge technology like Catapult and heart rate tracking. Not to be confined to a single discipline, Adamson also dedicated years to enhancing the performance of the rowing team, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to excellence. The breadth of Adamson's experience expands beyond the University of Tennessee. His tenure as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Winthrop allowed him to craft training regimens and programs for a multitude of sports. Prior to that, at Central Michigan, Adamson's impactful role as a graduate assistant laid the foundation for the success of various teams as well. A testament to his reach and influence, Adamson has worked with over 1,000 athletes across 23 sports at the Division I level. His clientele boasts Olympians from over 10 countries, world-record holders, conference and national champions, and a substantial cohort of over 100 professional athletes spanning nine different sports. Adamson's academic journey showcases his dedication to the field. He earned his bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Science from Winthrop in 2008. He received the prestigious title of 2008 Major of the Year in the Physical Education program during his senior year. Furthering his education, he pursued a master's in Sport Administration from Central Michigan, cementing his expertise and knowledge in Sports Performance. Before his venture into collegiate sports, Adamson's passion for coaching emerged during his time coaching at Rock Hill High School in South Carolina, where he was from 2006 to 2008. These formative years undoubtedly shaped his trajectory toward becoming a renowned figure in Collegiate Sports Performance. Adamson also currently serves as a Public Affairs Officer in the award-winning Air National Guard 134th Air Refueling Wing. Adamson and his family, Sarah, Caleb, and Olivia, reside in Knoxville, TN.