In Tempe, Arizona, Arizona State University announced the dismissal of women’s basketball coach Natasha Adair on Saturday. This decision comes after a stretch of three seasons without a berth in the NCAA Tournament under her leadership.
Athletic Director Graham Rossini expressed gratitude for Adair’s tenure, stating, “We appreciate coach Natasha Adair’s leadership and professionalism in guiding Sun Devil women’s basketball over the past three seasons. She and her staff built meaningful connections throughout the Valley, and we respect how she represented ASU during her time in Tempe.” Rossini confirmed that a nationwide search for her successor will commence immediately.
Adair took the helm in 2022 following the retirement of longtime coach Charlie Turner Thorne. Prior to her hiring, she spent five successful seasons at Delaware. However, her time at Arizona State was marked by challenges, as the team struggled to find success on the court.
In her inaugural year, the Sun Devils ended the season with an 8-20 record. The team showed some progress in her second season, securing 11 victories. However, the latest season saw a similar downturn, with a 10-22 finish and a difficult 3-15 run within the Big 12 Conference. The team’s journey ended with a defeat to Iowa State in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Throughout her time at Arizona State, Adair amassed an overall record of 29-62, including a 7-47 record in conference play. The university now looks forward to appointing a new leader to steer the women’s basketball program towards a brighter future.