Sat Apr 05 19:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Arizona Women’s Basketball Coach Adia Barnes Leaving Wildcats for SMU

**TUCSON, Ariz. —** In a surprising move, Arizona women’s basketball head coach Adia Barnes is leaving the Wildcats after six successful seasons to take the head coaching position at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Multiple sources, including the Arizona Daily Star and on3.com, confirmed the impending move.

Barnes, who led Arizona to a remarkable turnaround and four NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the national championship game, cited a desire for increased resources and institutional support as factors in her decision. While she enjoyed a highly successful tenure at her alma mater, she reportedly felt under-supported by previous athletic directors.

The situation at Arizona was further complicated by Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois’s apparent reluctance to negotiate a contract extension with Barnes before the end of the season, leaving the coach in a precarious “lame duck” position. This uncertainty, coupled with SMU’s proactive approach, appears to have been the deciding factor.

SMU’s new athletic director, Damon Evans, swiftly fired head coach Toyelle Wilson just days after assuming his position, signaling a strong commitment to the women’s basketball program. The move to hire Barnes is a significant one for SMU, which joined the ACC this year and aims to build on the success of its volleyball team in a highly competitive conference. The Dallas location offers Barnes access to a strong recruiting base and a state known for its investment in women’s athletics.

Barnes’s departure leaves a void at Arizona, where she built a highly successful program, attracting an average of 6,695 fans per game this season. She boasts a 169-114 overall coaching record. While Barnes has a buyout clause of $300,000 if she leaves before April 30, 2025, the move to SMU clearly represents a significant opportunity for both the coach and the Mustangs’ program.

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