The UTEP Women's basketball team hired their eighth coach in program history today, and in doing so made a wise decision in choosing Kevin Baker from Angelo State.  Baker replaces legendary coach Keitha Adams, who built a legacy in El Paso, and established a winning tradition for a program that was irrelevant prior to her arrival.

Baker comes to UTEP as an experienced coach in the state of Texas and has an overall coaching record of 344-131, which includes stints in high school and with Division III UT-Tyler and Division II Angelo State.  He has been a proven winner at each level that his career path has followed, which began back in 1994, and knows the state quite well, which should be good for recruiting purposes.

Another reason for optimism is Baker's post season success, as he led both UT-Tyler and Angelo State to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.  This is a coach that clearly knows how to win and will be consistent in maintaining the success that UTEP Women's basketball fans have become accustomed to having on an annual basis.  Without question he will be ready for the challenge at the Division I coaching level as Baker has proven to be rather resilient at each stage of his career.

His Angelo State squad was ranked as high as second in the nation last season and Baker received Conference Coach of the Year honors for the fourth consecutive season.  Winning at any level is an accomplishment in itself, and overall UTEP made an exceptional hire in bringing in an individual that seems to be full of energy and will instantly want to make an impact here in El Paso.  Challenges will certainly exist, and the players will have to become acclimated to Baker's system, but there is no reason to doubt that this is the right man for the job.

Don't be surprised to see Baker carry over his success from the previous positions in which he has held, and get the UTEP Women's basketball team back to the post season in the near future.

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