The state of Arizona will have new head coaches at the helm of all four Division I women’s basketball programs heading into the 2025-26 season. That’s because the Adia Barnes era is coming to an end in Tucson. SMU is reportedly set to hire Arizona women’s basketball head coach Adia Barnes for the same position, according to On3’s Talia Goodman.
Barnes spent the past nine seasons in Tucson, bringing the program to new heights during her tenure. She finishes with a 169-144 (.597) record, including 78-81 (.491) in conference play. The Wildcats were 19-14 (10-8) in their debut season in the Big 12.
After finishing just 6-24 in her second season in 2017, she led Arizona to a WNIT title in 2019, before a National Championship appearance that fell one point short of a title in 2021. The Wildcats made the postseason in six straight seasons under Barnes, including four NCAA Tournament appearances. She is also responsible for securing the program’s first McDonald’s All-American, Cate Reese, and produced five WNBA draft picks, including Aari McDonald, the highest pick in program history.
Under Adia Barnes, ticket sales and attendance soared. In her first season, Arizona averaged 1,839 fans per game. This past season, McKale hosted an average of 6,326, with a program record 5,910+ season tickets. The Wildcats eclipsed an average of 7,000 fans from 2021-24, including a program-high 7,822 in 2021-22.
Since the Final Four run in 2021, Arizona’s regular and postseason success have dwindled, with the Wildcats finishing under 20-wins the last two seasons, and not advancing out of the first weekend in back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament. The roster and coaching staff have also seen significant turnover in recent years, with the loss of top recruits including Aaronette Vonleh, Madi Conner, Lauren Ware, Maya Nnaji, Paris Clark, Kailyn Gilbert, and now Jada Willams, Breya Cunningham, Skylar Jones, and Lauryn Swann.
What’s Next?
While Barnes will no longer be at the helm of her alma mater, the fresh start could be a good opportunity for both sides. In the first real test of Desireé Reed-Francois’ tenure as athletic director, she elected to let Adia Barnes enter the final season of her contract without an extension. Barnes saw the writing on the wall.
On the flip side, SMU has had just one winning season in the last eight years, and has not made it to the NCAA Tournament since 2008. Coupled with a new athletic director, Damon Evans, who helped support Maryland into one of the nation’s premier women’s basketball programs, and the direction for SMU to bring in Adia Barnes, a top-tier recruiter and proven winner, is clear.
While a head coaching search will be conducted, two early names that will be considered for the role are UNLV’s Lindy La Roque, who was hired by Arizona AD Reed-Francois during her time in Las Vegas, and Maryland’s Brenda Frese, who played at Arizona from 1989-1993, and has a 607-169 (.782) record with the Terrapins.