Adia Barnes takes over as SMU's women's basketball coach

Field Level Media|published: Sun 6th April, 14:52 2025

Oct 10, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats coach Adia Barnes during Pac-12 women's basketball media day at Park MGM Las Vegas Conference Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

SMU named Adia Barnes, formerly of Arizona, as its head women's basketball coach.

In nine seasons at Arizona, the 48-year-old Barnes led the Wildcats to four consecutive postseason appearances and five straight 20-win seasons. Arizona reached the championship game of the Women's NCAA Tournament in 2021, losing to Stanford 54-53.

She has a career 169-114 record at Arizona, where she took over the program at her alma mater before the 2016-17 season.

Contract terms were not announced.

"I'm truly excited for the opportunity to be the next head coach at SMU," Barnes said. "Having seen the commitment and alignment on the Hilltop, I believe we can compete on the national stage and for (Atlantic Coast Conference) championships," she said in a news release issued Saturday. "My family and I can't wait to get to Dallas and I can't wait to get to work!"

Before accepting the job in Arizona, she was an assistant coach at Washington.

Barnes was a high school star at Mission Bay High in San Diego, then played at Arizona and was named Pac-10 Player of the Year following the 1997-98 season. She played pro basketball for 12 seasons in both the WNBA and overseas, and won the WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004.

At SMU, Barnes replaces Toyelle Wilson, who was fired after a 55-64 record in four seasons. The Mustangs were 10-20 this season, including 2-16 in ACC play.

--Field Level Media