SMU is likely to hire Arizona’s Adia Barnes as next head women’s basketball coach

SMU is likely to hire Arizona’s Adia Barnes as their next head women’s basketball coach, sources told On3.

Barnes, a former WNBA player and standout for the Arizona Wildcats during her collegiate career, has been the head coach of her alma mater since 2016. Under her leadership, Arizona women’s basketball rose to national prominence, highlighted by an impressive run to the NCAA championship game in 2021, where the Wildcats narrowly lost to Stanford 54-53.

During her tenure, Barnes compiled a 169-114 overall record and a 78-81 conference record, navigating the program through the competitive Pac-12 and, most recently, the transition to the Big 12.

SMU’s likely decision to hire Barnes comes shortly after the school parted ways with former head coach Toyelle Wilson, who led the program for three seasons. The change also coincides with the arrival of new athletic director Damon Evans, who previously served at Maryland. As the Mustangs recently transitioned into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the 2024–25 season, this expected hiring signals a clear commitment to building a nationally competitive program.

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