Keitha Adams to be named head coach at Wichita State

Keitha Adams, who has coached the UTEP women’s basketball team for the past 16 seasons, is going to be named the next the head coach of the women’s team at Wichita State, according to UTEP.

The story was first reported by a newspaper in Kansas known as The Wichita Eagle. That report was later confirmed by UTEP.

Coach Adams released a special statement for UTEP fans Wednesday night after accepting the job with Wichita State:

​​”First off I want to thank Dr. Natalicio and Bob Stull for the opportunity and support in my tenure at UTEP. I want to thank my coaches for your efforts and hard work in our journey together. To all of the support staff and numerous individuals who helped our program succeed, thank you!! To all of the UTEP players, I’m so grateful and thankful to have you in my life. To the Miner fans, I will always cherish our memories and moments in the Don Haskins Center. I will always hold dear your support to me and our players. UTEP took me away from my home in Kansas. El Paso became my new home for 16 years. It is only for a unique and special opportunity that I would ever leave UTEP. Wichita State University is 36 miles from my hometown. It’s a special opportunity for me to share my passion for this game with my family and friends. I will always cheer for the Miners, I will always love El Paso. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless and Go Miners!”

News broke Monday that Adams was among the candidates for the job, but was competing against at least one other coach. Now, it’s clear Adams was the top choice all along.

Adams won 284 games in 16 seasons with the Miners and won 20 or more games six times with UTEP.

She was also named the C-USA Coach of the Year in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Prior to her arrival at UTEP, the women’s basketball team hadn’t won more than 18 games in a single season and had only posted a winning record fives times in 25 seasons.

UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull released the following statement Wednesday evening:

“Keitha was one of my first hires and has been with us for 16 years. She has done an absolutely unbelievable job. We hate to see her leave, but understand the desire to go home. We can’t thank her enough for everything she has done for UTEP Athletics and the women’s basketball program. She has enjoyed unprecedented success and has graduated all of her players. You won’t find a more quality person anywhere. The Wichita community will fall in love with her, just like El Paso has. She is a great coach and a great friend and we wish her the best.”