In a swift move that has energized the Arizona basketball community, Becky Burke has been appointed as the new head coach of the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball program. The University of Arizona announced on Wednesday that Burke, fresh off leading Buffalo to a WNIT championship, will become the 10th head coach in program history.
The 35-year-old Pennsylvania native brings an impressive resume to Tucson, having transformed multiple programs throughout her coaching career. Burke’s appointment comes just days after former coach Adia Barnes departed for SMU, demonstrating Arizona’s determination to maintain momentum in their storied women’s basketball program.
Rising Star Takes the Reins In Tucson
Burke arrives at Arizona after an incredible three-year run at the University at Buffalo, where she guided the Bulls to record-breaking levels. Her Buffalo team concluded the 2024-25 season with a program-record 30 wins and took the WNIT championship, displaying Burke’s prowess at constructing championship-caliber programs.
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) April 9, 2025
“I would like to thank President Garimella and Desiree for this wonderful opportunity to lead Arizona Women’s Basketball, a program with such rich tradition,” Burke said. “Wildcats’ fans fully understand the role that elite culture plays in building a program that wins championships. Our staff will be ready to make that a reality as we call Tucson home.”
Arizona Vice President and Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois highlighted Burke’s credentials in the official announcement. “Coach Burke is a proven program builder and rising star in collegiate women’s basketball with a track record of transformational success. She is familiar with the Wildcats and the tight-knit community we have in Tucson.”
Burke’s coaching journey includes successful stops at multiple institutions. Before Buffalo, she coached at USC Upstate, where she engineered a remarkable 14-win improvement in the 2021-22 season, tying for the best turnaround in NCAA Division I women’s basketball that year.
Building on Buffalo Success
At Buffalo, Burke established herself as one of basketball’s brightest coaching minds. Under her leadership, the Bulls reached the Mid-American Conference championship game in 2023-24 before achieving their record-breaking 30-win season and WNIT title the following year.
“It has been an absolutely incredible experience being at the University at Buffalo the past three years,” Burke stated upon her departure. Her impact extended beyond wins and losses, with Buffalo seeing increased fan attendance during her tenure, according to UB Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt.
Burke’s appointment marks a return to Arizona, where she previously started the women’s basketball program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. During two seasons there, she quickly built a winning program, demonstrating her ability to create successful teams from the ground up.
The timing of Burke’s hiring showcases Arizona’s proactive approach. Just four days after Barnes left for SMU, Arizona secured Burke, who was at the peak of her coaching success. This rapid transition reflects both Burke’s rising value in the coaching world and Arizona’s commitment to maintaining excellence.
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Burke inherits a program with high expectations, having reached the NCAA championship game in 2021. With her proven ability to transform programs and achieve postseason success, Burke appears well-positioned to build on Arizona’s rich tradition as they compete in the challenging Big 12 Conference.
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