Kevin Baker, UTEP’s women’s basketball coach for the last six seasons and the 2023 Conference USA Co-Coach of the Year, announced his resignation on Wednesday.
“After careful consideration of a generous extension offer from UTEP and weighing my options moving forward, I have decided to end my tenure with the Miners,” Baker said. “This has been a tough decision for me, but I think the time is right for me to move on to the next chapter of my life, spend more time near family, and begin searching for a new career path.”
Baker led the Miners to a 20-win season (20-12) and WNIT appearance in his final year at the helm of the program. He directed UTEP to four winning seasons overall, including 17-victory campaigns in 2017-18 and 2020-21. The Miners finished 13-5 in Conference USA play (second C-USA West) during the 2020-21 season, and 12-8 in league action (tied for fourth place) in 2022-23.
He concludes his UTEP tenure with a record of 93-85, including a 51-55 mark in C-USA games. The 93 victories ranks Baker third in program history. The Miners advanced in the C-USA Tournament in all but one season under his leadership and reached the tournament semifinals in 2021 and 2023.
“We are so grateful to coach Baker for all of his hard work over the last six years,” UTEP Director of Athletics Jim Senter said. “He built a program that competed at a high level in Conference USA, culminating in this year’s 20-win season. His teams have been fun to watch, and he has been the consummate team player off the court. We wish him the very best as he embarks on the next chapter of a successful career.”
“I would like to thank Jim Senter, President Wilson, and all of our athletic administration for the amazing support through the past few years. All of the players and coaching staff have been tremendous and I will treasure the relationships built here in El Paso,” Baker said.
He arrived in El Paso from Angelo State University, where he posted a combined record of 50-14 in two seasons (2015-17). Baker was also the head coach at the University of Texas at Tyler from 2012-15, fashioning a 72-16 mark.
“I am most proud of my journey,” Baker said. “I do not think many coaches came up the way I did. I was fortunate to have success in the high school ranks at the 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A levels. Following that, I was head coach at the collegiate levels of Division I, II, and III. Each team played at an elite level. My players were so talented that I was awarded Coach of the Year honors at each university.
“I am also very proud that we did things the right way at UTEP. We followed the rules of NCAA compliance, won basketball games, chased championships, built positive relationships with players, and graduated our student athletes.”
Baker coached five players who earned All-Conference USA recognition at UTEP – Tamara Seda (2018), Katarina Zec (2020), Katia Gallegos (2021 & 2022), Destiny Thurman (2022) and Jazion Jackson (2023). In addition, the Miners’ Elina Arike was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year this season.
“Thank you to all our players who made our jobs fun and kept us on our toes,” Baker said. “The only reason anyone coaches is to make an impact on young people the same way we were once touched. I hope I was at least helpful to the growth of over 500 players I have mentored, taught, and coached.
“Lastly, I want to thank the people of El Paso. I have never felt so welcome in a new community. Our city welcomed our players and coaches with open arms and unconditional support. The people make the place, and this city loves UTEP. Go Miners!”
