The WNBA has garnered recognition for its commitment to diversity in hiring, a reputation that continues, although recent changes have affected the landscape of head coaching within the league.
As of the end of the 2022 season, Black coaches made up half of the head coaching positions in the WNBA, but the situation has shifted over the past two years. Currently, Noelle Quinn of Seattle is the only remaining Black head coach, following the departures of Tanisha Wright in Atlanta and Teresa Weatherspoon in Chicago over recent weeks. Additionally, Los Angeles also ended its relationship with head coach Curt Miller during this same period.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed that there are three coaching vacancies to fill, emphasizing the importance of presenting a diverse range of candidates for team owners to consider. “We’ll certainly be looking for our owners to have a diverse pool of candidates, and ultimately they’ll make the decision on their head coaches,” Engelbert stated.
In a significant development for the league, the Golden State franchise, set to debut next season, appointed Natalie Nakase, an assistant from Las Vegas, as its head coach, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first Asian-American head coach in WNBA history.
There is a promising selection of qualified Black candidates available for the three vacant head coaching roles, with numerous Black WNBA assistant coaches, many of whom have illustrious playing careers, poised for consideration. Among them are Briann January, Kristi Toliver, and LaToya Sanders, as well as former head coaches Pokey Chatman and Vickie Johnson.
The WNBA is currently witnessing unprecedented visibility, driven by increased viewership and attendance figures, which brings heightened scrutiny and pressure for teams to achieve success. This environment often results in coaching changes, as many team owners look for immediate improvements in performance.
Each of the recently terminated coaches had completed between one to three seasons in their roles while navigating challenges related to significant player injuries this past season. Notably, Weatherspoon’s departure from Chicago came as a surprise to many, especially after she concluded a season where the team was retooling and entered the draft lottery. Weatherspoon had developed a strong rapport with young players like Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter, both of whom expressed their discontent on social media following the announcement of her firing.
Reese conveyed her feelings on social media, stating she was “heartbroken” over the exit of her coach, who she described as “an unsung hero in my life” and felt she did not deserve to be removed from her position. This change coincides with the hiring of a new general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, who joined the team shortly after Weatherspoon’s signing. Pagliocca, who previously assisted with player development, commented on the rarity of such an occurrence, saying, “I don’t know if it contributed to the decision at all, but obviously, it’s rare that a GM is hired afterward.”
Wright, who spent three years coaching the Atlanta Dream, had guided the team to consecutive postseason appearances, though the Dream failed to progress past the first round in both instances. Engelbert noted the intentional strategy of developing a candidate pool that includes diverse assistant coaches from the WNBA, pointing out that this has been a focal point of discussion at Board of Governors meetings. “We’ve made enormous progress especially in the assistant coaching ranks with former WNBA players by essentially focusing on this over the last couple years,” she added.
Potential Black assistant coaches who may be in contention for head coaching positions include:
Briann January, who has served as an assistant for the Connecticut Sun for the past two years after a stellar playing career marked by five all-defensive team selections.
Kristi Toliver, who has coaching experience with Washington and Phoenix and spent time with the Dallas Mavericks. A two-time WNBA champion, she is well-regarded in the league.
LaToya Sanders, who has been with the Washington Mystics for the past three seasons and was elevated to associate head coach, having previously enjoyed a successful playing career.
Tyler Marsh, who has contributed to the Las Vegas Aces as an assistant, helping them capture two consecutive WNBA titles.
Rebekkah Brunson, a five-time WNBA champion, has been an assistant with the Minnesota Lynx since 2020, enhancing her team’s coaching staff with her extensive experience and accolades from her playing days.
