Bradley Central High School has named Jody Adams as its new head basketball coach for the Bearette team, appointing the former player and coach to lead the program after a distinguished career that spans more than three decades.
Adams succeeds Jason Reuter, who retired after 16 years at the helm, and steps into a role that will blend her deep playing pedigree with a proven track record of developing talent at the highest levels of women’s basketball.
A Legacy of Leadership
Adams’ résumé reads like a Hall of Fame biography: she starred as a point guard at the University of Tennessee under the legendary Pat Summitt, contributing to five SEC championships and the 1991 national title, while also earning ESPY Team of the Decade honors and a spot in the Greater Chattanooga Tennessee Hall of Fame.
Her coaching journey includes 13 years as a Division I head coach at Wichita State, where she became the winningest women’s basketball coach in school history, capturing eight conference titles and guiding the team to ten postseason appearances.
A Homecoming for the Bearette Program
Beyond the national stage, Adams is a native of Bradley County, having played for the Bearette Basketball team from 1987 to 1989, earning All‑District, All‑Region and District MVP honors in each season and setting a school record with 2,478 career points.
Principal Patrick Spangler expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, stating that the school is eager to see Adams’ leadership translate into a vibrant future for the basketball program, while Athletic Director Turner Jackson welcomed the return of a familiar face to the coaching staff.
Looking Ahead
Adams, who has also served as an assistant at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and the University of Minnesota, said she is honored to return to Bradley County and is focused on building on the program’s strengths, developing the current roster, and continuing the tradition of excellence that defined her playing days.
The school administration, community members, and fans alike are optimistic that her blend of championship experience and deep local roots will elevate the Bearette program for years to come.