July 19, 2007

UTEP women's basketball head coach Keitha Adams has received a four-year contract extension that will keep her in El Paso through the 2011 season, UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull announced on Wednesday.

"Keitha has done a nice job of building our women's basketball program," Stull said. "It's been a slow and steady process, but with her persistence and vision of her program she is beginning to realize success. We are looking forward toward an exciting 2007-08 season and to continue the progress of the UTEP women's basketball team."

Adams was named the seventh head coach of the program on April 20, 2001, following several successful years as head and assistant coach at Independence Community College. After inheriting a team that won just eight games during the 2000-01 season, Adams has methodically turned the Miners into a Conference USA and regional power.

Her charges have combined to win 64 games the past four years, the most victories in that time frame in the 34-year history of the program. To put that accomplishment into perspective, consider that the prior school standard was 53, achieved twice during the early 1990's.

Forty-three of those triumphs have come inside the friendly confines of the Don Haskins Center, making it one of the toughest arenas in the league to play in. The effort has allowed Adams to renew interest locally for the once dormant program, culminating with the Miners pacing C-USA in attendance during the 2006-07 campaign.

That was not the only achievement for the squad this past season, with UTEP establishing school standards for wins (22) and fewest losses (eight). The Miners turned some heads nationally by receiving votes in the Associated Press top-25 poll for the first time in program history. Helping realize that was a 10-game win streak, also a school first.

"I want to thank Mr. Stull and the UTEP administration for their support throughout the process of building this program," Adams said "I'm very appreciative to UTEP for the opportunity to be its head coach. We came with the mindset to build a winning program, and we've been able to do so with everyone's support. This is a reflection, as well, of all of the hard work by the players and coaches"

"We generated a lot of energy and excitement last year in El Paso," Adams said. "Our fan base increased, and it was great to set the record for attendance with 7,212 fans against Memphis. We want to continue to set the bar higher, and I want the people of El Paso to know that for this coming season we want and need them to be there for this to happen."

Adams ranks second all time in school history with 77 victories, trailing only Sandra Rushing. The 2007-08 campaign will mark her sixth season as head coach of the Miners.