The WNBA has officially filled all its head coaching positions for the upcoming 2025 season, marking the end of what was undoubtedly a significant offseason for the league. Eight teams sought new leadership, and as of this week, all spots have been filled. The latest appointments have seen varied backgrounds among the coaching hires, but one thing stands out: the growing presence of women leading teams. With the addition of the Golden State franchise, the league will have seven female head coaches and six male coaches at the helm.
Chris Koclanes was named head coach for the Dallas Wings on Monday, immediately followed by Sydney Johnson, who was hired by Washington only hours later. These appointments rounded out the list of seven new coaches for teams this offseason. Interestingly, the seven hires present no single shared thread; they represent various coaching backgrounds. Three are former college head coaches—Karl Smesko, Lynne Roberts, and Johnson—while three others have experience as WNBA assistants (Koclanes, Johnson, and Tyler Marsh). Rachid Meziane is the only international coach joining the mix.
Stephanie White, formerly of the Connecticut Sun, is notable for being the only former WNBA head coach to secure one of these positions, returning to the Indiana Fever. This diversity of backgrounds among the new hires could lead to exciting developments on the court as these coaches bring their unique styles and experiences to their respective teams.
At the end of the 2022 season, half of the league's 12 head coaches were Black. Fast forward to today, and this number has dwindled to three, raising questions about the league's commitment to diversity. The only Black female head coach currently leading is Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm, following the dismissals of Teresa Weatherspoon (Chicago) and Tanisha Wright (Atlanta). Notably, Natalie Nakase has made history as the first Asian American to coach a WNBA team.
Evident progress can be seen with the appointment of Johnson and Marsh, both Black men stepping up to the coaching plate. Their hiring, along with three Black general managers—Morgan Tuck, Ohemaa Nyanin, and Jamila Wideman—shows some shifts toward inclusivity at the management level. The WNBA's increase to 13 teams next season, compared to the previous 12, also demonstrates growth within the league.
Here’s a closer look at the eight newly appointed coaches and their projected impact:
- Karl Smesko: Previously head coach for 23 years at Florida Gulf Coast, he holds the third-highest winning percentage (.829) among active coaches, trailing only UConn's Geno Auriemma and LSU's Kim Mulkey. Under Smesko, the Atlanta Dream are expected to be formidable, considering his track record with three-point shooting, coupled with standout players Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray on his roster.
- Tyler Marsh: Newly appointed head coach for the Chicago Sky, Marsh contributed to the Las Vegas Aces’ consecutive championship wins in 2022 and 2023 as an assistant coach. He inherits promising talent, including post players Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, alongside the Sky's No. 3 pick for the upcoming WNBA draft.
- Rachid Meziane: Joining the WNBA from his coaching role for Belgium's national team, he has professional experience across France. He faces the challenge of revitalizing a team undergoing significant player changes.
- Chris Koclanes: Known for his tenure alongside general manager Curt Miller at Connecticut, Koclanes helped lead the Sun to WNBA Finals appearances. Now with the Wings, he will look to leverage the No. 1 draft pick to bolster the team's performance, aided by talents like Arike Ogunbowale.
- Natalie Nakase: Making history as the first head coach for the Golden State Valkyries, she previously excelled as an assistant with the Aces. Nakase is expected to lead her team actively during the upcoming expansion draft as they build from scratch.
- Stephanie White: Back with the Fever after coaching the Sun, she brings considerable experience. White has the foundation to work with, thanks to her young core featuring the last two WNBA Rookie of the Year winners, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
- Lynne Roberts: Returning to California after coaching Utah for nine seasons, she had previous success, finishing with a stellar record and winning the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award. Roberts manages to inherit promising young talents Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, and Dearica Hamby, positioning her team for future prosperity.
- Sydney Johnson: Having worked with USA Basketball and coaching at Fairfield University, Johnson looks to reshape the Washington roster and is poised to capitalize on the young core led by Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, and Ariel Atkins.
The upcoming 2025 season promises to be thrilling, as these new coaching appointments bring fresh perspectives and strategies to their teams. The shifting dynamics, along with increasing representation among coaches, reflects both progress and the potential for continued growth within the WNBA.
