After eight seasons as the Auburn Riverside High School boys basketball coach, Tom Adams has resigned, effective immediately. The decision was announced to coaches and players in a meeting Monday afternoon.

“I resigned because I felt it was best for the program,” Adams said via e-mail. “I have always tried to act in the best interest of the program, and I think a new voice and a different perspective is just what the current and future players need to reach maximum potential.”

Adams leaves the program after an 11-12 season in which the Ravens tied a team record for most South Puget Sound League wins in a season with eight. He led the Ravens to four playoff appearances, including the last three years where the team was knocked out of the West Central District playoffs, just shy of the state tourney.

“Coach Adams has not just been an outstanding leader within our basketball program, but he’s been a real leader in our athletics department, more than once taking an opportunity to mentor other coaches,” said Auburn Riverside Athletic Director Doug Aubert.

“I grew up with the program here at Riverside and have had an incredible 10 years in the program, the past eight as head coach, and have made and built some fantastic and meaningful relationships,” Adams said. “It has become a part of me, and therefore it was a very difficult decision to step down.”

Adams, who is the second coach in Auburn Riverside boys basketball history, helped build the program from the ground up since the school opened in 1995. He started as the junior varsity coach while assisting his predecessor, Chris Burton, at the varsity level. Adams took over the reigns of the program in 2001 when he was just 25 years old.

Adams also is the boys golf coach and a teacher at the school and will continue in those positions.

He remains hopeful that the Ravens will find success next season.

“The current juniors are a great class that is going to provide leadership and experience for the lower levels of the program, and there are some good underclassmen who have playoff experience and toughness as well,” he said. “That will make for a good transition to the new coach and his philosophy.”

The Ravens also are searching for a girls basketball coach following the resignation of interim coach Ed Rosin earlier this year.

Auburn Riverside will begin the process of finding a new coach immediately. For more information on the position, call Doug Aubert at 253-804-5159 or e-mail daubert@auburn.wednet.edu.