In 1991, Cornes was appointed the inaugural senior coach of the Adelaide Football Club in their first year in the AFL. The Crows in its inaugural year under Cornes finished ninth at the end of 1991 season and ninth again at the end of the 1992 season.
In 1991, Cornes became the inaugural senior coach of the Adelaide Football Club during their first year in the AFL.  The Crows finished in ninth place both at the end of the 1991 and 1992 seasons under his guidance.