Honors & Accomplishments
• Nearly a decade working with high-academic Division I basketball programs in a variety of capacities.
• Part of Rice’s first postseason win in 19 years (2012).
Coaching Experience
• Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2016-present)
• Video Coordinator, Rice University (2014-16)
• Assistant Coach, Rice University (2013-14)
• Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator, Rice University (2012-13)
• Student Manager and Head Student Manager, Rice University (2008-12)
Education
• B.S., History, Rice University (2012)
At Cornell
Adam Gierlach joined the Cornell basketball coaching staff in May of 2016 after eight seasons in a variety of roles at his alma mater, Rice University.
His experience at a high-level, academically-elite basketball program paid off in year one, as Gierlach was instrumental in setting the tone for the Big Red in year one of the Brian Earl era. A high-energy assistant, he also helped yield one of the conference’s top recruiting classes.
In his first season, Cornell’s offense was more efficient and its defense held opponents to fewer points per game while shoring up its rebounding. Sophomore Matt Morgan was a second-team All-Ivy League pick after leading the conference in scoring for a second straight year and classmate Stone Gettings was arguably the most improved player in the Ancient Eight.
Prior to Cornell
Gierlach spent the previous four years in Houston, Texas as a full-time staff member. He served as the team’s video coordinator for three of those seasons, including holding the title of Director of Player Development, and also spent a year as an assistant coach.
While at Rice, Gierlach assisted in the development of 2014 Conference USA all-freshman team forward Sean Obi, the school’s career assist leader in Max Guercy and 2015 C-USA preseason selection Marcus Jackson.
Along with coordinating all the video operations, Gierlach has experience in nearly all aspects of a program, from scouting and recruiting to overseeing academic success and on-floor skill instruction.
Along with four years as an undergraduate student manager and ultimately as head student manager, Gierlach worked under head coaches Mike Rhoades and Ben Braun. He played large roles in both of their basketball camps, including serving as director of the team camps. As a student manager in 2012, Rice made its first postseason appearance since 2005 and picked up its first postseason since 1993. Among the players on that team was NBA second round pick Asralan Kazemi.
Personal
Gierlach is a 2012 graduate of Rice with a bachelor’s degree in history. He resides in Ithaca.
