It’s already been another offseason of significant coaching turnover in the WNBA, with 3 of the league’s 13 head coaches — the Liberty’s Sandy Brondello, the Storm’s Noelle Quinn, and the Wings’ Chris Koclanes — already having been let go.
In addition, two new head coach positions — the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — will bring in new coaches.
Here’s what each franchise head coach opportunity presents for its prospective incoming coach.
The Tempo are one of two expansion teams joining the WNBA next season, and an expansion team coaching position comes with certain advantages — including 1) low expectations, and 2) the ability to construct a roster from the jump. We saw this with Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who had a much better debut season than other rookie coaches who didn’t have a hand in assembling their rosters.
While expansion teams aren’t inherently the most desirable coaching jobs, there’s something to be said for the fact that a coach can come in with a particular vision for how to construct and run a team on both ends of the floor, and subsequently select players accordingly. That makes the Tempo position particularly appealing.
Whoever takes over the Liberty comes in with championship expectations. General Manager Jonathon Kolb opted not to renew Sandy Brondello’s contract — not because she’s a bad coach, but because it’s effectively championship-or-bust in New York, and the Liberty massively underperformed this season.
The Liberty head coach position is appealing in part because a core of Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart should give the Liberty a fighting chance, regardless of the pieces around them.
Regardless of who exactly the Liberty bring back next season, they should be in the mix for a title run. And, they’re one of the WNBA’s best-run franchises, with undeniable investment from ownership and a passionate fanbase just a year removed from a championship.
It was no surprise that Noelle Quinn was fired after another disappointing Storm season. And, it’s not completely clear exactly where the roster will stand heading into next season. But the Storm, at the very least, have one of the most promising young prospects in the game in Dominique Malonga. Getting to work with such a talented teenager is inherently an incredible opportunity.
Plus, the Storm have been one of the trailblazers in women’s sports — and whoever takes over the program joins one of the most winningest franchises in WNBA history.
Head coach Chris Koclanes struggled mightily in his first season as head coach, and there was a particularly bright spotlight on him, considering Paige Bueckers’ addition to the squad.
Koclanes was under fire for much of the season, as the Wings finished with the league’s worst record, and Arike Ogunbowale had the worst season of her WNBA career. There’s undeniable talent in Dallas, and last season went so poorly that it feels like a new coach has low expectations that should be easy to exceed.
Of note, a fifth head coach position — the Portland Fire’s — technically remains open, but it’s reportedly going to be Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Alex Sarama.
