Fresno State Assistant Ron Adams Replaces Boyd Grant as Head Coach

FRESNO — Ron Adams, architect of Fresno State’s stingy defense, was named the Bulldogs’ head basketball coach Friday.

Adams, 38, succeeded Boyd Grant, who resigned at the end of the season after compiling a record of 194-74 during nine years at Fresno State. Grant’s tenure included the 1983 National Invitation Tournament championship.

There were 25 applicants for the job, and Athletic Director Jack Lengyel said former USC coach Bob Boyd, who resigned as Mississippi State’s coach this season, was one of the finalists. Lengyel said Sacramento State Coach Bill Brown was another finalist.

Adams, during eight years as assistant coach, developed a matchup zone defense with which the Bulldogs led the nation in defense four times and finished second twice.

Adams, originally from Laton, Calif., played at Fresno Pacific College and later was the head coach there. He also was an assistant coach at USIU in San Diego and at UC Santa Barbara.