Remembering ‘The Coach’: James ‘Butch’ McAdams Leaves Behind Lasting Legacy

The DMV has lost another icon in the sports community. In early June, local sports fans mourned the death of A.B. Williamson, and on Sunday, June 23, James “Butch” McAdams died at his home in Northwest D.C., at the age of 74.  There is an irony here: McAdams’ last show was a tribute to Williamson.

Known affectionately as “The Coach,” McAdams’ legacy expands back over five decades.  A graduate of Mackin High School and the University of the District of Columbia, he has made his mark and impacted the lives of many.

After his successful run as a coach, McAdams decided to retire from Maret. However, rather than sit back and enjoy the benefits of retirement, McAdams decided to enter a new and unchartered territory, sports radio broadcasting.  

It was the year 2011 and after a trial run, McAdams reached an agreement to start, “In and Out of Sports,” a Radio One program that featured local sports guests and personalities from the DMV area.

Over the years, “In and Out of Sports,” featured notable sports personalities including high school, amateur, college and professional coaches and athletes.

In 2013, McAdams was one of the 12 men who met weekly to create the infrastructure of DMV-Athletes in Action, Inc., formed to acknowledge former athletes, coaches and community leaders. The organization hosts its annual cookout every third Sunday in July at Haines Point.

While he was known for a number of clever phases, one of his famous lines is quite fitting as many people locally and nationally remember the coach’s life. “Simply one of the best!”