Ranger Basketball Coaches

Basketball Coach Jimmy Adams

One of the most successful coaches in the city of Memphis, Adams comes to Northwest after serving the last 16 seasons as head coach at Raleigh-Egypt High School. Adams is the fourth-winningest boys basketball coach ever in Shelby County by amassing a record of 636-245 in 28 seasons.

Adams compiled a record of 397-125 at Raleigh-Egypt and led the team to state runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2009. He was selected Tennessee Coach the Year on four occasions. Under Adams, Raleigh-Egypt produced 16 Division I college players, won six city championships, seven district and region titles, and made five state tournament appearances.

Adams coached at Central High School from 1974 through 1986 and led that program to back-to-back state championships in 1981 and 1982. Adams posted a 230-120 record in 13 seasons at Central High.

A 39-year coaching veteran, Adams has served as an assistant at both the University of Mississippi and the University of Memphis.

Adams coached under Ed Murphy at the University of Mississippi from 1986 through 1990. Adams helped lead the Rebels to three NIT appearances and produced an NBA lottery pick in Gerald Glass.

Adams left Ole Miss in 1990 to become an assistant at the University of Memphis under Larry Finch. The Tigers advanced to the NIT Tournament in 1991 and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 1992. Adams helped coach NBA stars such as Elliot Perry, Penny Hardaway, and David Vaughn.

Adams left the University of Memphis in 1993 to become the head coach at Raleigh-Egypt.

Adams' coaching career began at Snowden Junior High School in Memphis in 1968 where he won two city championships in five seasons.

A native of Union City, Tenn., Adams is a graduate of Union City High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis in 1968 and his master's degree in education from the University of Memphis in 1973.

Assistant Men's and Women's Basketball Coach Shane Oakley

Shane Oakley is in his sixth season as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Northwest. 
Since Oakley came to Northwest in 2004-05, the men’s program has compiled a record of 94-51, while the Lady Rangers are 71-55.
In Oakley’s first season at Northwest, the Lady Rangers captured the Region XXIII championship and advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament. He helped lead the Rangers to back-to-back region championships and NJCAA National Tournament appearances in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Oakley was the assistant basketball coach for both men and women during the 2003-04 season at Mississippi Delta Community College. Before going to Mississippi Delta, Oakley’s first coaching experience came as a graduate assistant at Delta State University during the 2002-03 season. 
A native of Senatobia, he graduated from Senatobia High School in 1997 where he earned several letters in football, basketball and baseball. 
Oakley attended Northwest in 1997-98 before transferring to Delta State. At Delta State, Oakley received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and physical education.
Oakley is the grandson of the late W.C. “Bill” Oakley, who is a member of the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame. His cousins, Drew and Brooks, lettered in baseball at Northwest, and his twin brother Scott is an assistant softball coach at Northwest.