Adia Barnes and the Auburn women's basketball head coaching vacancy have been linked by multiple sources, according to The War Rapport's Mike Gittens -- who wrote off Kellie Harper's candidacy as the Tigers hone their search in on a female/minority hire.
"Multiple sources have confirmed to me that the flirtation between AU and Adia Barnes is at its peak. Kellie Harper’s name has subsided as university officials are focusing in on making a female/minority hire. Barnes’ yearly salary with Arizona is in excess of $1,000,000," Gittens wrote.
The Arizona Daily Star's PJ Brown didn't sound convinced Barnes would leave Arizona, citing the repetitive nature of Barnes rumors over the years without a departure.
"Auburn is just one of a number of openings at this point, which is a little early in the end-of-season hiring process," Brown wrote.
"Barnes’ contract, which runs through April 30, 2026, has not been extended yet by Arizona Athletics. Her buyout, in this Year 4, is $300,000. Once the calendar turns to Year 5 — after April 30, 2025 — the buyout goes down to zero.
"Barnes has received calls for opportunities each offseason for college jobs and even in-season for WNBA jobs. Every time, she has decided to stay at her alma mater.
"It is not known what Barnes will do this offseason.
"What we do know is that it is business as usual for Barnes, who was out on a recruiting trip this week.
"The Star reached out to Barnes about possibly being a top candidate for the Auburn opening and didn’t hear back."
Barnes would be leaving a program accustomed to making March Madness's second weekend for one that seems to do it once during every head coach's tenure. AU made it as far as the First Four under Johnnie Harris before her firing last week, coincidentally losing to Barnes' Wildcats last March.