SMU Set to Hire Arizona’s Adia Barnes as New Head Women’s Basketball Coach
News sources report that SMU will hire Adia Barnes as its next head coach. SMU trusts Barnes because she now coaches Arizona’s women’s team. Barnes played in the WNBA and starred with the Arizona Wildcats. She has led her team since 2016. Under Barnes, Arizona women’s basketball reached the national stage. In 2021, the team advanced to the NCAA championship game. In that final game, the Wildcats lost to Stanford by one point, 54 to 53. Barnes earned 169 wins against 114 losses overall. Her team secured 78 wins and 81 losses in the conference. She guided her team through the tough Pac-12. Now, she looks forward to competing in the Big 12. SMU replaces Toyelle Wilson, who coached for three seasons. The shift comes with the arrival of athletic director Damon Evans, who served at Maryland. The Mustangs prepare for the 2024-25 season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. SMU aims to build a strong and competitive women’s basketball program.
This move gives SMU a fresh start and a solid base for national success.
