The WNBA has successfully filled all head coaching vacancies this offseason, concluding a busy period that saw eight positions available.
The final two announcements were made within a short time frame on Monday, with Dallas introducing Chris Koclanes as its new head coach, closely followed by Washington’s announcement naming Sydney Johnson to the same position. This brings the total number of new hires to seven.
Examining the backgrounds of these coaches reveals no singular pattern; among the new hires, three coached at the collegiate level (Smesko, Roberts, and Johnson), three served as assistants in the WNBA (Koclanes, Johnson, and Marsh), while one came from an international coaching background (Meziane). Notably, Stephanie White is the only coach with prior WNBA head coaching experience; she makes the transition from Connecticut back to Indiana.
With the upcoming addition of the Golden State team, which appointed Natalie Nakase as its coach, the league will feature a total of 13 franchises with seven led by women and six by men. Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, 50% of the head coaches were Black; however, that number has decreased to three, with Noelle Quinn from Seattle being the only Black female coach, as both Teresa Weatherspoon (Chicago) and Tanisha Wright (Atlanta) have since been let go. Additionally, Nakase represents a milestone as the first Asian American to hold a head coaching position within the WNBA.
Two of the new coaching assignments went to Black men: Johnson and Marsh. The league is also home to three Black general managers: Morgan Tuck in Connecticut, Ohemaa Nyanin with Golden State, and Jamila Wideman in Washington.
Here is an overview of the eight new head coaches in the WNBA:
**Atlanta Dream — Karl Smesko**
Experience: Smesko arrives in the WNBA after an impressive 23-year tenure at Florida Gulf Coast, boasting the third-highest winning percentage (.829) among active coaches, behind only UConn’s Geno Auriemma and LSU’s Kim Mulkey.
Outlook: Smesko’s teams have consistently excelled in 3-point shooting, and he takes the helm of a Dream squad featuring talented players like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
**Chicago Sky — Tyler Marsh**
Experience: Marsh transitions to the Sky after playing a vital role as an assistant coach in Las Vegas, where he contributed to the Aces’ consecutive championship victories in 2022 and 2023.
Outlook: He steps into a team led by a powerful frontcourt, including Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, while also holding the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft.
**Connecticut Sun — Rachid Meziane**
Resume: Meziane joins the WNBA after a successful coaching career in France and leading Belgium’s national team, which recently finished fourth at the Paris Olympics.
Outlook: He faces the challenge of managing a roster in transition, with many of the top players entering unrestricted free agency.
**Dallas Wings — Chris Koclanes**
Experience: Koclanes previously worked under new general manager Curt Miller in Connecticut from 2016 through 2022 and was instrumental in guiding the Sun to the WNBA Finals in both 2019 and 2022.
Outlook: The Wings hold the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, alongside a strong core led by Arike Ogunbowale.
**Golden State Valkyries — Natalie Nakase**
Experience: Nakase makes history as the inaugural head coach of this expansion franchise and previously enjoyed success as an assistant in Las Vegas. The team recently acquired its initial roster through the expansion draft.
Outlook: With the No. 5 pick in the draft, the Valkyries are anticipated to be strong contenders in the upcoming free agency period.
**Indiana Fever — Stephanie White**
Experience: White returns to Indiana after guiding the Connecticut Sun into the playoffs over the past two seasons.
Outlook: She inherits a promising young team that includes back-to-back WNBA Rookie of the Year winners, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
**Los Angeles Sparks — Lynne Roberts**
Experience: Having spent nine seasons coaching Utah, where she compiled a solid record of 165-116, Roberts is returning to her home state of California. She was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2023.
Outlook: She takes over a Sparks team that struggled last season but features a strong young cadre including Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, and Dearica Hamby. The Sparks hold the No. 2 pick in the next WNBA draft.
**Washington Mystics — Sydney Johnson**
Experience: Johnson has spent the last five years with USA Basketball and also served as an assistant with the Chicago Sky last season. He previously spent eight years leading the Fairfield University men’s basketball program, earning four postseason berths.
Outlook: Johnson will lead a Mystics team that narrowly missed the playoffs, with key players Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, and Ariel Atkins in the mix.
