Adam Fletcher is in his 11th season as strength and conditioning coach for the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team after joining the program in August 2015.

Regarded throughout the industry as one of college basketball’s top performance coaches, Fletcher has a proven track record of transforming athletes through a holistic approach that emphasizes mobility, recovery, nutrition, and hydration alongside programming in the areas of strength training and conditioning.

The Fighting Illini have produced four All-Americans and 20 All-Big Ten honorees during Fletcher’s tenure, which includes the winningest six-year Big Ten run in program history. 

Illinois won 21 games during the regular season and finished ranked No. 21 in the AP poll in 2020. The Illini then went 24-7 in 2021, including a 16-4 mark in conference play followed by the Big Ten Tournament championship to earn an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed. The Illini set a school record by defeating six top-10 teams and ended the year at No. 2 in the final AP poll, the second-highest rating in program history. 

Illinois won the 2022 Big Ten Championship after going 23-10 overall and 15-5 in conference play to officially win its first regular-season title since 2005. Illinois won 20 games again in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2024, its best NCAA Tournament finish in 19 years. The Illini finished with 29 wins, marking the third-most in school history, and end the year ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll.

The Illini won 22 games in 2025 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. 

Fletcher came to Illinois from Towson, where he served three years as the Tigers’ strength and conditioning coach. After less than a year on the job, he was promoted to director of strength and conditioning, leading the department while working with Towson’s men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse and golf programs.

During his time at Towson, the 2013 team made the largest single-season turnaround in NCAA history while the 2014 team won a program Division I record 25 games. Towson also won its first two postseason games as a D1 program.

Prior to arriving at Towson, Fletcher spent two years as assistant strength coach at Michigan, working primarily with men’s basketball. The Wolverines went 45-24 during his two seasons in Ann Arbor, winning a share of the 2012 Big Ten title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament both years.

His professional experience began with a series of internships, including IMG Academy and his alma mater, Miami-Ohio.

Fletcher was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter on the RedHawks basketball team, playing from 2007-10. He served as team captain as a senior and also was named the team’s top defensive player.

Fletcher earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Miami University in 2010, a Master of Science (Strength and Conditioning) degree from Edith Cowan University in 2011, and an associate’s degree in science (Massage Therapy) from Parkland College in 2019.

A native of St. Albans, W.Va., Fletcher is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Sports Performance Coach by USA Weightlifting, and a licensed massage therapist in the state of Illinois. He also holds first aid, CPR and AED certifications.

He is married to the former Kilee Taflinger, who is the strength and conditioning coach for the Fighting Illini women’s basketball team. The Fletchers reside in Mahomet with their daughter, Maddie, and wonderdog, Ruby.