Two years earlier, Arizona — led by star guard Aari McDonald — won the WNIT championship at McKale Center. Barnes leaves Arizona with a 169-114 record. She compiled the second-most victories in program history behind Joan Bonvicini (297), who coached Barnes when she played for the Wildcats from 1994-98.

Last Sunday, newly hired athletic director Damon Evans dismissed women’s coach Toyelle Wilson for Barnes. The men’s basketball program hired Andy Enfield away from USC last year. Even outside the athletic department, SMU recently announced former University of Texas President Jay Hartzell as its next president.

A week after new athletic director Damon Evans fired Toyelle Wilson from her position as head women’s basketball coach, SMU announced Adia Barnes as the new head coach of women’s basketball. Five days later on April 9,