UNIVERSITY PARK — In the past year, SMU has demonstrated a strong dedication to advancing their athletic development.
It has been showcased through various avenues, including its affiliation with the ACC, significant historical fund-raising initiatives, and several high-profile recruitments. President-elect Jay Hartzell to Athletic Director Damon Evans Even the men's basketball coach, Andy Enfield.
On Wednesday evening, SMU demonstrated that same dedication once more, new head coach for women’s basketball, Adia Barnes At Moody Coliseum — a significant investment in women’s athletics, particularly in women’s basketball, an area that continues to hold substantial growth potential for the Mustangs.
When reflecting on SMU and the possibilities before us, one thought consistently comes to mind: thinking ambitiously and acting courageously. This was precisely what we aimed to do during our quest for a new women’s basketball coach," Evans stated at the event presenting Barnes. "We are fully committed to elevating women’s basketball here, setting unprecedented standards. My belief is that we can establish ourselves as one of the leading forces in collegiate women’s basketball nationwide.
For an extended period, SMU’s women’s basketball team has faced challenges in achieving on-court victories. Over the past decade, the Mustangs have only managed two winning seasons. Since 2008, they have not qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In their inaugural year as part of the ACC, they concluded at the bottom of the league standings, suffering defeats in all fourteen of their final conference matches.
Given their recent track record, the Mustangs seem quite distant from reaching the championship caliber that several other teams around the Hilltop are nearing. However, with Barnes taking charge, both she and the administration at SMU believe they have what it takes to find success much sooner than expected.
"Given her track record and the history she has in basketball, anyone like her would be well-prepared for the ACC," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner.
During her illustrious playing career, Barnes excelled both at Arizona—where she established 22 individual records and propelled the team into their inaugural NCAA Tournament in 1997—and in the WNBA, securing a championship with Seattle over her seven-year tenure in the league.
She enhanced her reputation as a coach by transforming her alma mater, Arizona, into a formidable team and guiding the Wildcats to the national championship game in 2021. There, they narrowly lost by one point to the dominant program at Stanford.
However, she departed from her previous institution to join SMU, and within just a few days in her new position, She has already added eight players to her team list. , including players who transferred via the portal and others who came with her from Arizona. Before delivering her introductory comments on Wednesday, she had nearly assembled an entire team.
She is also bringing her entire team from Arizona along with her, which includes her spouse Salvo Coppa, serving as an assistant coach for Arizona.
When you have a strong team supporting you, the possibilities are endless," she stated. "Together, we will achieve incredible feats here. I am thrilled to begin this journey.
Barnes mentioned that it has never been simpler to swiftly transform a women's college basketball program. On Wednesday, she made numerous references to this idea multiple times. How TCU transformed itself from one of the lowest-ranked teams in the Big 12 to an Elite Eight contender. Through the transfer portal, she emphasized that relationships and resources are crucial factors, noting that SMU holds promise in these areas.
It's like striking gold," Barnes stated. "The possibilities are immense. Whatever you can imagine, it seems capable of achieving it. If we get the appropriate team and adequate support, I believe there will be no boundaries.
However, aside from achieving victories on the basketball court, Barnes has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding the sport within the local community. Under her leadership at Arizona, she consistently drew crowds ranging between 8,000 to 9,000 attendees, according to Evans. This enthusiasm extends particularly to attracting new talent from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Notably, she also recruited top recruit Jazzy Gipson, who initially pledged herself to Arizona before deciding to join SMU instead—following her coach and remaining nearer to her family.
Given the success of coaches like Barnes and Evans, who transformed Arizona and Maryland into well-known programs in women’s basketball, there’s potential for SMU to follow a comparable trajectory.
Evans stated, "She has experienced the typical peak. Currently, she is at the correct Hilltop," he explained confidently. "I am certain she will lead us back to our desired destination."
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