McMurry University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Drew Long made his first assistant coach hire on Sept. 6, 2021, adding former Mary Hardin-Baylor player and coach Ayla Adams to the program. She enters her third season in 2023-24.
Adams attended UMHB from 2010-13, playing her first two years before becoming a student assistant coach and the director of operations her final two years. She also played an instrumental role in the UMHB Basketball Camp while on staff.
After graduating in December of 2013, Adams worked as an AAU head coach in Katy, Texas for seven years and also coached varsity and junior varsity basketball and volleyball at The Village School.
“We are thrilled to introduce Ayla to the War Hawk family,” said Long following the hire. “She checks all the boxes for us – a former player with a great basketball mind and a passion for developing scholar-athletes both on and off the court. She’s a relationship builder with a great eye for young talent, and she understand what it takes to be successful at this level. Our program got better today, and we are excited for the future of McMurry Women’s Basketball.”
As a standout at Faith West Academy High School, Adams led her team to a TAPPS 6A State Runner Up finish her senior season, while garnering TAPPS 6A First Team All-State, First Team All-Tournament and 6A All-Star honors.
After two years of playing for American Southwest Conference rival UMHB from 2010-12, Adams took her talents to the coaching bench and served many roles for the Cru. Adams coordinated individual workouts, scouting reports, equipment, travel arrangements and community projects for the team, among other duties. She also aided in recruiting.
Outside of basketball as a varsity assistant coach and AAU/JV head coach, Adams also coached middle school lacrosse. She also worked as an administrative assistant and event coordinator for the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce from 2013-2014. Additionally, she directed efforts for the Adventure Dash Fun Run each year from 2015-2018.
