Change in leadership for SMU women’s basketball

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Change in leadership for SMU women’s basketball

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU Director of Athletics Damon Evans has announced a change in leadership for the Mustang women's basketball program.

"We appreciate Toyelle (Wilson) and her staff for their dedication and positive impact on SMU, our student-athletes and our women's basketball program over the past four seasons," said Evans. "Their commitment to integrity and the well-being of our student-athletes has been invaluable. We wish them and their families success in their future endeavors.

"However, with the investments the University and our donors have made in support of SMU Athletics, we have shown we belong in the ACC and expect to compete for championships," said Evans. "With all that our campus and community have to offer - the value of an SMU degree, our prime location in Dallas, our top-tier facilities, the NIL opportunities for our student-athletes and more - we believe we are well-positioned to stand alongside the nation's best programs."

A national search for a replacement will begin immediately.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I've been trying to tell y'all.

[Terry Webster]

The team and the coach never recovered from the Pittsburgh game.

[PonyPride]

You've got to think one candidate will be Karen Blair, the former SMU point guard and assistant coach who currently is the Associate head coach at Maryland — the former employer of new SMU athletic director Damon Evans.

[Charleston Pony]

No surprise here but no time being wasted as SMU continues trying to build our brand in college athletics

[indianmustang]

https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/index.php?threads/wbb-looking-forward-to-2025-26.51608/#post-1838180

[Charleston Pony]

More on this change and possible candidates:

https://www.lonestarlive.com/smu/2025/0 ... asons.html

[ritarivas89]

Whoever comes in we need a significant increase in NIL $$ to compete. We were dead last in NIL funds and it showed. Let’s see what our new AD does in support of WBB.

[DallasDiehard]

The fact that he canned Wilson so quickly certainly suggests he cares about women's basketball.
Sure hope so. After Mays and Wilson, it would be nice to have an upgrade of a head coach.

[Charleston Pony]

The fact that he canned Wilson so quickly certainly suggests he cares about women's basketball.
Sure hope so. After Mays and Wilson, it would be nice to have an upgrade of a head coach.

It's one thing for the A.D. to care about WBB and another for the BMD's to care enough to fund immediate improvement

[Dukie]

The fact that he canned Wilson so quickly certainly suggests he cares about women's basketball.
Sure hope so. After Mays and Wilson, it would be nice to have an upgrade of a head coach.

It's one thing for the A.D. to care about WBB and another for the BMD's to care enough to fund immediate improvement

Honestly, the firing is indicative of only one fact: donors are ready. The AD's personal opinion on the value of the sport is nowhere near as relevant.

[GHammond]

Who’s next ? Men’s tennis coach? Ranked 61st in the nation with those facilities?!?

[tristatecoog]

Karen Aston was apparently in the final two of the UH WBB coaching search. The Coogs went with Matt Mitchell who was a prolific coach at Kentucky before suffering a severe head injury while on vacation and taking 4-5 years off. Mitchell will make ~$600K. Aston currently makes $400K at UTSA.

Maryland WBB made the Sweet 16 this year and only lost by four to South Carolina. No buyout required for the SMU alum.