An exemplary embodiment of an adaptive equalizer is provided, receiving symbols to generate an equalizer output. The adaptive equalizer comprises a plurality of tap cells, a coefficient updater, a plurality of multiplexers, a controller and an integrator. Each tap cell generates a filter value from a tap data value and a coefficient. The coefficient updater provides a coefficient vector comprising a plurality of coefficients updated recursively. . Each multiplexer is coupled to a corresponding tap cell and the coefficient updater, switching between a normal mode and an estimation mode. The controller coupled to the multiplexers controls mode switching of each multiplexer based on each corresponding coefficient. The integrator coupled to the tap cells collects the filter values to generate an equalizer output.