THE Dallas Wings I hired a long time ago WNBA assistant and current USC assistant Chris Koclanes as the next head coach.
Koclanes is in his second year with the Trojans, who are off to an 11-1 start this season. However, Koclanes previously spent eight seasons in the WNBA, working under Wings general manager Curt Miller, who was the team’s coach. The Sparks of Los Angeles And Connecticut Sunshine.
Koclanes was originally hired in 2016 as the Sun’s video coordinator, but later became an assistant coach, where he led Connecticut’s defense. When Miller was hired as head coach of the Sparks after the 2022 season, Koclanes went with Miller to Los Angeles.
“Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check off the boxes of our important pillars,” Miller said in a statement. “He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration and a positive, consistent communication style with everyone he coaches. Chris is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an exceptional basketball IQ. He is committed to player development and has a forward-thinking and innovative spirit for the game. He is a tireless worker with a foundation built through preparation.
Koclanes joins the Wings at a pivotal moment in franchise history. The Wings hold the rights to the No. 1 pick in April’s 2025 WNBA Draft, where UConn star Paige Bueckers is the presumptive selection if she chooses to turn pro. Satou Saballya 2023 All-WNBA first-team forward, is an unrestricted free agent. The Wings are also looking to return to the playoffs after a 9-31 season, which saw them late Latricia Trammelltheir head coach for two years.
As the Wings look to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, they will do so with a decision coming up. The franchise is targeting a move from Arlington to downtown Dallas by the start of the 2026 season, planning to open a new training facility that year and undertake broader business transformations. This summer, they sold two-half percent of their stakes for a record valuation of $208 million.
“I look forward to partnering with our ownership, front office and players to create a lasting championship culture that is felt on and off the field, as well as in the community,” Koclanes said in a statement. “I am excited to support and empower the women of this league as we continue to elevate the WNBA to new heights.”
Koclanes is highly regarded within the WNBA for his defensive acumen and his impact on player development. In Connecticut, the Sun consistently finished in the top three in the WNBA in opponent scoring average, opponent turnovers committed, opponent field goals and field goal percentage. three points. Dallas, meanwhile, hasn’t finished higher than eighth in defensive rating since 2016.
In the GM survey at the end of the 2023 seasonKoclanes was one of two names heard most often when executives were asked about their lists of coaches who had not been a WNBA head coach but would be a great hire for any franchise.
“They kind of zoom in on him when he’s setting up the end of quarters or whatever for his team, so I think it’s really great that he’s had this space to showcase his skills as a coach “, one of them said.
Another added: “I think Curt gave him a lot of autonomy. »
Now, Koclanes will be reunited with Miller, as well as Dallas Wings assistant general manager Jasmine Thomas, who Koclanes coached in Connecticut, and will have even more autonomy.
“There are so many incredible things on the horizon for this franchise, including a new arena, a state-of-the-art practice facility and the opportunity to select the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft,” said Miller said. “And we are confident that Chris is the right person to lead this team into a new era of Dallas Wings basketball.”
This article was originally published in Athletics.
Dallas Wings, WNBA
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