A dryer is provided with a direct drive fan assembly for circulating air through a drying chamber formed in the dryer. The direct drive fan assembly includes a fan plug mounted to the dryer and a fan rotatively mounted adjacent an interior side of the fan plug. A load adapter is secured to the fan plug and projects outwardly therefrom. A motor is mounted to the load adapter via a motor adapter. There is provided a continuous drive shaft assembly from the motor, through the motor adapter, through the load adapter, and through the fan plug. The drive assembly connects to the fan disposed adjacent the interior side of the fan plug.
