HEAD COACH.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY CRIMSON GIRLS DANCE TEAM.

My name is Payton Adamson and I’m in my 7th year coaching Dance at the collegiate level. I spent three years at LSU as the Assistant Coach and am in my fourth year as the Head Coach at Washington State University. I’m currently working on building a legacy for the WSU Crimson Girls, who I strive to become a household name in collegiate dance, not just for talent, but also for culture.

What People Usually Focus On

Typically how the program at WSU has grown in the last four years.

A Path Discovered

I never wanted to be a college coach! I got my foot into the door of this industry while seeking more stability alongside a choreography career. Once I started at LSU as an assistant, I knew this was the path for me.

Patience and Growth

Developing my coaching style and being consistent in my decisions and personal standings has taken more time than I anticipated. It’s important to me for my athletes to feel seen and heard, but I think there’s a line there that took me awhile to identify. It’s taken a lot of patience but I truly believe these parts of the process are crucial for a trustworthy program and good relationships built between coach and athletes.

Just good days. Understanding from athletes, seeing new things being tried and having an open - minded mindset being adopted.

Internal Battles

Being so far from my family and support system has been the hardest part of curating my own program - new ideals, new goals and new people can always make you yearn for a comfort zone.

There were a lot of moments in my first season that I was questioning my decisions. However, my time in Pullman has helped me develop a better connection with my faith, which has really driven me on tough days.

Pressure and Commitment

I have a lot of self-imposed pressure, which is just a reflection of my passion for the sport. A lot of things I think are important may seem small to others, but I’ve learned to take everything in stride and always be ready to pivot.

Just keep showing up. The work is always gratifying, and most of the time you can find joy in it by just being a part of it.

Shifting Relationship with Failure

I’ve learned a lot from my failures over the years! At this point in my career, I’m aware that mistakes will always be made and things will almost never go to plan. I accept failure far more than the mindset I was coming from.

Mindset Shifts

I think coming from an SEC school that rose even more so in popularity after the 2022 National Championship at LSU had a large impact on who I was when I arrived in Washington. Going into that first year competing with WSU was a huge culture shift (and shock) for me, but it made me develop a lot of empathy and a more human side to my work. I really needed that to regulate who I am as a coach.

Identity and Growth

Every day! I feel like this is an ever-changing part of growth. Every year success can look different pending your resources, your goals, your team, etc. Moving to Washington really helped me understand that success is not a one size fits all.

I think this role has better prepared me for real life and everything it can throw at you. I’ve found a softer side to myself, less jaded by the “fulfillment” of how I once defined success. I am much more fulfilled by the work itself, which lends to a genuine love for the sport and the athletes in it, regardless of the end of the year placements.

Key Reflections

What would you tell your younger self during the hardest part of this journey?
You’re not perfect and you’re going to mess up, and that’s ok!

For someone who feels behind or unsure right now:
God has a plan, and every day is a piece of it. You’re living in his will, so do everything in His glory and know that it gets better.

Strength means ___ to you now:
resilience

One thing people underestimate about success:
it comes in many forms

When you think about the milestone you’re living now, what strength do you wish people understood better?

Sometimes growing a program can feel lonely, but people are always watching and believing in you. People are always in your corner rooting for you, even during what you think are the darkest moments. At the end of the day, you’re living out a dream that a younger version of you was praying for. Do it for them and give thanks to God, always.