Adam Puett

Chancellor's Office Representative, 2019-2021

Contact Information

  • apuett@unca.edu
  • 250-2308
  • 116 Justice Center

“By the Numbers”

All-American – 1
Big South Freshman of the Year – 2
Big South Conference Champions – 7
Big South All-Conference Selections – 17

Adam Puett is in his eighth year as an assistant coach with UNC Asheville. Adam directly works with the men’s distance program, while also being the recruiting coordinator.

Coach Puett took the reins of the men’s distance program during the 2015-16 season and under his tutelage the men have been making great strides. In 2016, the men’s team had its best indoor season, scoring in every distance event from the 800m to the 5000m, with a highlight being an All-Conference selection in the distance medley relay placing 3rd. During the 2016 cross country season, the men were lead by Dominic Collichio, who won the Asheville Invitational and placed 7th at the Big South Conference Championships, becoming the first men’s Big South All-Conference athlete for UNC Asheville in 10 years. During the 2017 indoor and outdoor season, the men’s team was highlighted by freshman Matthew Harding winning the 800m at both the indoor and outdoors Big South Conference Championships. Matthew was also honored by the Big South Conference by being named both the indoor and outdoor conference Freshman of the Year for 2017.  At the 2017 East Regional Championships, Harding placed 7th with a time of 1:47.92 to become the first UNC Asheville men’s athlete to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He placed 22nd at the 2017 NCAA Championships, becoming an Honorable Mention All-American in the process.

Before taking over the men’s program, Adam helped lead the women's cross country team to a third-place finish at the 2013 Big South Conference championships. It was the highest finish for the Bulldog program in 10 years. In track and field, Puett helped guide Sarah Gentry to Big South championships in the 800 meters at both the indoor and outdoor meets, while also winning the 1500m.

Puett enjoyed an outstanding running career at Western Carolina University. He was the 2005 Western Carolina Male Athlete of the Year and 2006 Southern Conference Outdoor Performer of the Year. Puett earned All-Conference honors three times in cross country and 11 times in indoor and outdoor track. He was a five-time SoCon champion in indoor and outdoor track plus a four-time NCAA outdoor regional qualifier in the 1500 meter.

Before coming to UNC Asheville, Puett served as an assistant coach at WCU for three years. The Alabama native coached 13 All-Conference performers and six Southern Conference champions during his tenure. He helped lead the Catamount programs to five different league championships. Puett graduated from Western Carolina in 2006 with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and then earned his master's in Physical Education from WCU in 2009. During his off time, Adam enjoys reading, playing music, fishing and camping.