Adia Barnes Leaves Arizona to Lead SMU Women’s Basketball

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Adia Barnes, the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team, has accepted the head coaching position at Southern Methodist University (SMU) after nine seasons with her alma mater. The announcement was made by SMU on Saturday morning.

In her tenure at Arizona, Barnes compiled a record of 169-114, leading the Wildcats to successful postseason campaigns, including four NCAA Tournament appearances and a WNIT championship in 2019. Additionally, Arizona reached the NCAA championship game in 2021, narrowly losing to Stanford 54-53.

Despite her achievements, Arizona struggled in recent seasons, failing to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and missing the tournament altogether in the 2024-25 season. The Wildcats’ disappointing season ended with a 19-14 record and a first-round exit in the WBIT.

Roster retention has posed challenges for Barnes, with several players leaving the program, either through transfers or midseason exits. However, fan attendance grew significantly under her leadership, with an average of nearly 6,700 spectators per game in the last season.

At SMU, Barnes takes over a program that has struggled in recent years, finishing 10-20 overall and 2-16 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) last season. Athletic Director Damon Evans expressed excitement about Barnes joining the Mustang family, emphasizing her track record of success and community involvement. He stated, “She has had great success at Arizona, leading her teams to post-season appearances and 20-win seasons…. The future is bright for SMU Women’s Basketball.”

Barnes herself noted her enthusiasm about the new opportunity, saying, “Having seen the commitment and alignment on the Hilltop, I believe we can compete on the national stage and for ACC championships.”

Barnes’ departure signifies a shift in the coaching landscape as all four Division I schools in Arizona will have new head coaches for the upcoming season. Arizona Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois has initiated a national search for Barnes’ replacement, with several potential candidates emerging.

One prominent name being considered is UNLV‘s Lindy La Rocque, who has led her program to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Despite speculation, La Rocque has publicly stated her commitment to remain with the Rebels.

The transition period at Arizona may present challenges, particularly regarding the retention and recruitment of athletes, especially with several players already entering the transfer portal following Barnes’ announcement.

As Barnes embarks on her new journey with SMU, many are eager to see how her leadership will reshape the program and its fortunes in the highly competitive ACC.