Keitha Adams, who built the UTEP women’s basketball program into a powerful force in El Paso and college sports, is heading to Wichita State University.
While her departure is a huge loss for UTEP and El Paso, it’s a well-deserved opportunity for Adams. And it’s proof that good things happen to good people.
“Keitha has worked extremely hard and has earned everything that coaching has provided to her,” Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright said in a statement.
Adams came to El Paso in 2001, taking over a program that had only five winning seasons in 25 years. She built a competitive program that made two trips to the NCAA tournament. Most memorably, she led the Miners to the finals of the 2014 Women’s NIT, packing the house at the Don Haskins Center several times.
“She has enjoyed unprecedented success and has graduated all of her players,” UTEP athletic director Bob Stull said. “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.”
Adams is from Kansas, and coaching at Wichita State is a chance to work close to home.
“UTEP took me away from my home in Kansas. El Paso became my new home for 16 years,” Adams said in a statement. “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!”
Adams leaves UTEP with a record of 284-209 over 16 seasons. Her teams won 29 games three times in this decade, one of only 10 programs nationally to accomplish that feat.
In addition to building a winning program, Adams developed a deep connection with El Paso. She and her players were among the most popular sports figures in the Borderland.
Adams and her players would stay around long after games ended, shaking hands and signing autographs until the last fan had left.
UTEP faces a big task in replacing Adams, but the next coach will have a strong tradition to build upon.
We congratulate Adams on her new position, as well as her years of success at UTEP. We wish her all the best at Wichita State.
