The search for a new head coach to replace former coach Keitha Adams has come to an end as the UTEP women’s basketball team will hire former Angelo State basketball coach Kevin Baker.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Diana Natalicio and Bob Stull for giving me the opportunity to lead the UTEP women’s basketball program,” Baker said in a press release. “I am truly honored to take the reins of a program that has enjoyed so much success. Coach Adams had an amazing run here for 16 years. She really put UTEP women’s basketball on the map, and my goal is to build on what she has already accomplished.”

Baker, who has only coached two seasons at Angelo State, has seen much success in his first two years with the Belles. His first season he led the squad to their first NCAA Tournament in almost a decade. He has 50 wins in just the two seasons of coaching Angelo State.

Prior to Angelo State, Baker coached the NCAA Division III affiliate UT-Tyler. During three seasons with the Patriots, he posted a 72-16 overall record and orchestrated the team to the program’s first NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance. Under Baker, UT-Tyler won two American Southwest Conference Championships in back-to-back seasons.

“We had tremendous interest nationally for this position, and it was really difficult going through the process of narrowing it down to the type of person that we wanted to lead this program,” athletic director Bob Stull said. “In the end, no one could match the level of success that he has achieved, winning over 300 games and setting school records for victories at every stage of his coaching career. He is a personable and energetic young man and a great fit for UTEP and the El Paso community.”

He is from Lufkin, Texas, and was known as one of the top high school coaches in Texas women’s basketball.