Curt Miller — who was the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks for the past two WNBA seasons — has been named general manager of the Dallas Wings.
Miller was fired after two seasons in Los Angeles in which he accrued a 25-55 coaching record. Prior to his time on the Sparks, Miller was the head coach of the Connecticut Sun for 7 seasons, and before that, he was a Sparks assistant. He also served as the general manager in Connecticut for his final six season.
Miller has the 11th-most regular-season wins in WNBA history, and holds a career regular season record of 165-141.
“Curt Miller is a proven winner with deep experience building and leading WNBA rosters and staffs,” Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb said in an official statement. “I believe Curt’s ability to construct winning teams as well as his success in coaching in the WNBA and beyond will prove invaluable for our organization as we continue our pursuit of a WNBA Championship.”
Now, Miller will pivots away from coaching and toward helping run a franchise from the front office perspective in Dallas.
The Wings announced they were parting ways from head coach Latricia Trammell last month, and in that announcement, they also shared they would hire a general manager. Bibb said in October that the new general manager would lead the search for the next head coach hire, which is now presumed to begin.
“As part of our year-end review process, and in conjunction with our organizational long-term strategic planning, I have decided to expand and strengthen our basketball operations through the hiring of a General Manager who will oversee the day-to-day operation of our basketball group,” said Bibb.
Miller is one of 7 head coaches who departed from their WNBA team this past season, and becomes the second to join another organization. Stephanie White, who left the Connecticut Sun for the Indiana Fever, is the other, though — White has been named the Fever’s head coach while Miller is taking the general manager pathway.
Who might Curt Miller pick as the new head coach of the Dallas Wings?
Other available WNBA coaches on the market include Christie Sides, who was fired by the Fever, Eric Thibault, who was fired by the Mystics, Teresa Weatherspoon, who was fired by the Chicago Sky, Tanisha Wright, who was fired by the Atlanta Dream, and, of course, Trammell. Miller is likely to explore these experienced candidates as he works to select a new head coach for the Wings. He’ll also gear up for the Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft, in which the Wings will be able to protect six players from getting picked.
The Wings are one of five WNBA teams that still seek a head coach, with the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics being the other. The Mystics and Aces are both also looking for new general managers.
It’s possible that Miller will also look toward the NBA and the G League for candidates, a trend that has increased in recent years. The Las Vegas Aces most recently hired Ty Ellis, who has extensive NBA experience, as an assistant coach.
Miller sees a ton of opportunity for the Dallas Wings organization.
“The potential of the Dallas Wings is immeasurable,” he said in a statement. “With a new arena and practice facility on the horizon, a talented roster which is impactful both on the court and in the community, exciting positioning in the upcoming draft, a passionate and loyal fanbase, a fully invested ownership group, and a dedicated front office staff, now is the time for the Wings. As a veteran head coach and GM in the WNBA, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience, passion, and leadership to Texas while we strive to hang a WNBA Championship Banner in Dallas.”
For now, only one thing is certain: Curt Miller, who’s served as head coach for nine WNBA season, won’t be on the sidelines next year.
