Adams - only in the job 24 hours - would have seen little to encourage him in the first half, as Rangers were much the better side.
After a spell of pressure, the visitors took the lead in the 14th minutes with a well-worked goal from Jamie Cureton.
A throw on the right found its way to Paul Furlong who held the ball up for his strike partner, who rifled in from ten yards.
Coventry did look good in short spells - Gary McSheffrey in particular was lively and laid on two excellent chances for Stern John.
The first was volleyed well over by the Trinidad & Tobago international, but the second saw him force an outstanding save from Simon Royce.
QPR came within inches of extending their lead after 37 minutes when a poor clearing header from Dean Leacock fell to Gareth Ainsworth, but his shot across the face of goal beat Luke Steele only to drift wide of the post.
Adams left the directors' box and joined the dugout, prompting a more urgent approach from his side.
A Michael Doyle free-kick hit the wall and deflected for a corner, which Steve Staunton took from the left. He picked out Adie Williams, who rose brilliantly to head in at the far post after 59 minutes.
Coventry's ability to self-destruct reared its head again in the 71st minute when Stephen Hughes misplaced a pass to Staunton and Ainsworth nipped in to steal the ball.
He raced into the box unchallenged and shot well, but Steele produced a brilliant fingertip save.
Coventry came close to snatching a winner when McSheffrey crossed for Andy Morrell, but he headed straight at Royce.
However, a late QPR free-kick from Richard Edghill found Danny Shittu, whose header was tipped onto the post by Steele only for Furlong to tap the ball home for the winner.
In the aftermath, Leacock was booked for protesting about whether the ball had crossed the line, but the goal stood.