Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced the appointment of Stacy Adams as head football coach, effective immediately. Adams, who has served as an assistant football coach at Valpo for the last 14 seasons, succeeds Tom Horne, who resigned Monday for personal reasons after 16 seasons.

A native of Gary, Ind., Adams served as the offensive coordinator for eight consecutive years (1997-04), also coaching the quarterbacks during that span. The 2003 Pioneer Football League Champion offense shattered a plethora of Valpo passing, receiving, total offense and scoring records under the guidance of Adams. The 2002 offense set several records that were rebroken in 2003. The Crusaders led the PFL in passing offense (319.0 ypg.) in 2003, ranking 2nd in the nation in that category. The 2003 squad also finished 2nd in the PFL and 6th nationally in total offense (447.5 ypg.) and third in the PFL and 12th among all NCAA I-AA teams in scoring (33.8 ppg.). Adams coached First Team NCAA I-AA Mid-Major All-America quarterback David Macchi, who eclipsed 10 offensive records in 2003.

?We are very excited about the fact that we had quality people on our staff with the ability to step in and lead the program," said LaBarbera. ?Stacy's been a significant part of our offensive success over the last 14 years. He has a passion for football, winning and for the success of our student-athletes. I'm confident that Stacy's experience and commitment to excellence will enable him to lead our football program to success this season and beyond."

During the PFL Championship season in 2000, Adams guided an opportunistic offense which averaged 25.0 points per game. In 1999, Adams directed an offense which averaged 26.4 points per game, an improvement of over five points from 1998. Adams, the running backs coach for five seasons, was instrumental in Valpo's improved rushing attack, which increased its yards per carry average each season.

In college, Adams played two seasons at quarterback for Horne at Joliet (Ill.) Junior College from 1985-86 after graduating from Gary's Lew Wallace High School. After earning an Associate of Arts degree from Joliet JC in 1987, he finished his playing career at Northwest Missouri State, where he played quarterback, running back, and outside linebacker from 1988-89. In 1989, Adams was a member of NMSU's NCAA Division II playoff team. He graduated from NMSU in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education. Adams earned a masters degree in education from Valpo in 1997.

Adams, his wife Donna and stepsons Richie and Aaron reside in Valparaiso.