SMU announced Adia Barnes as its new head coach earlier today. Shortly after, University of Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois released a statement thanking Barnes for her nine seasons and impact on the program. Now, the focus shifts to finding Barnes’ replacement.
Reed-Francois has operated in a pattern similar to Barnes, often hiring individuals she had previously worked with. This includes bringing back UNLV swimming coach and Missouri volleyball coach Dawn Sullivan. Reed-Francois also took a young, inexperienced coach like Laura Ianello from women’s golf when she left Arizona for Texas.
Greg Byrne hired Barnes by paying her minimal salary, which eventually led to financial success as the program improved. If Arizona follows suit, they may find their next head coach with similar experience and skillset.
Kamie Ethridge, Washington State head coach, has a reputation for getting more from less, and Xavier Lopez, associate head coach at TCU, has coached under top-tier offensive coaches. Tari Cummings-Baker, an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Baylor, has also shown success in those areas despite her experience at Division II schools.
While Reed-Francois’ ability to “work magic” remains uncertain, these candidates present promising options for the Wildcats. Their backgrounds and track records suggest they could bring significant improvements to Arizona’s program.
Source: https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2025/4/5/24402010/arizona-womens-basketball-possible-coaching-hires-la-rocque-ethridge-lopez-cummings-baker