When Cold Springs set out to find a new varsity boys basketball coach, it swiftly narrowed its focus to two essential attributes: consistency and stability.

Drew Adams, meanwhile, has turned Good Hope into one of the steadiest programs locally and across the state since taking over in 2016 — as evidenced by the Raiders recording 20 or more wins in each of the past seven seasons.

Talk about a perfect marriage at the right time.

Cold Springs hired Adams on Wednesday — Principal Eric Dickerson confirmed the move to The Times via phone call — and the Eagles hope the 32-year-old, who will take the reins from Adam McKinnon, can offer structure for a program on its fourth head coach in as many years.

“When trying to fill this position, the most important issue for me was finding someone who would come in and provide stability to the program in terms of a long-term commitment,” Dickerson said. “With Drew’s character, experience and track record of success, I believe that we checked all of the boxes.”

For Adams, the chance to work alongside his wife Paige — recently named the varsity girls basketball coach at Cold Springs — and undertake a new challenge played critical roles in his acceptance of the offer.

It certainly didn’t come easy, though.

“This is a decision I have anguished about for weeks,” Adams told The Times. “I know how special a community Cold Springs is, not to mention the program’s tradition and potential. But at the same time, we’ve poured our heart and soul into the Good Hope basketball program for a decade and love the people there so much.

“When Paige got the girls job, though, I knew there was a rare opportunity for us to be head coaches at the same place. At the end of the day, that opportunity is one I felt I couldn’t pass up. Being able to coach alongside her will be special. But Good Hope has been so good to me, and I will cherish the memories made and relationships built there forever.”

Adams produced a 185-87 record across nine seasons at Good Hope, leading the Raiders to five county crowns — one of only three varsity boys coaches to accomplish that feat — and two Sweet 16 berths. The Red and White also reached the sub-regional stage seven times during that stretch and won an area championship in 2021.

He took over a program that had struggled mightily in the five seasons before his arrival — the Raiders won around 20 games during that stretch — but did so knowing there was a “load of potential” coming up through the pipeline.

Proving his point, the freshman class in Adams’ debutant season eventually went on to win 26 games and get to the Sweet 16 in the 2019-20 campaign.

“At the end of the day, a head coach is only as good as his players and assistants,” Adams said. “I’ve been blessed to coach some really good players over the last nine years. I’ve also had some incredible help along the way. It started with (varsity girls coach) Justin Aby, one of my best friends, and Jody Maddox. They were so instrumental in helping us get things established early. And when Justin got the girls job, I added my dad (Scott Adams) and Griffin Morris.

“Coaching with my dad has been a dream come true for me. He is such a high-level coach and leader of young men that I was able to coach alongside him but also learn from him at the same time. He poured his guts out for this program. Griffin is like a little brother to me. As soon as he graduated from college, I knew that getting him to Good Hope had to be a top priority. I love those two guys and am thankful for all they’ve done for this program.”

Regarding his next stop, Adams is excited about what he’s walking into at Cold Springs, which won nine games last season.

Still, they notched an area title and came close to a Class 2A Northwest Regional berth before losing to Tanner, which advanced to the Elite Eight.

Adams feels a little déjà vu heading into the offseason.

“Cold Springs is in a similar situation,” said Adams, referencing his first campaign with Good Hope. “Although they’ve had a few coaches in the past few years, it’s been coaches who are great guys and great coaches in Adam McKinnon and Cade Willingham who have helped continue building off foundations that those like Tim Burleson and Tim Willoughby had previously laid down. Couple that tradition with the talent coming up to join the guys who played this past season — as well as an administration and school that loves basketball — and I think it’s ripe with potential. I look forward to building relationships and getting started with those guys.”

So, what can people both inside and outside of the Cold Springs community expect?

Don’t ask Adams about making those kinds of predictions just yet. Instead, he’s focusing on the pillars he believes are key to establishing a successful program.

“I hate it when coaches make guarantees after they take new jobs,” Adams said. “No one knows what the future holds. You never know how healthy your team will be, so making guarantees is silly. I think a good coach maximizes the potential of a team and helps turn boys into young men — and that is my goal. I hope we can reach our potential each year, and I pray that I can be a godly mentor and leader to these guys daily. If we do those two things, the rest takes care of itself.”