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Of the 13 WNBA teams competing next season, seven organizations have head coaching vacancies. Some are desirable and some are not. Here’s where potential employees would love to land and some places they might want to avoid:
1. Indiana Fever
The Fever gig is easily the most desirable open gig in the WNBA. The only problem? It probably isn’t In fact open. Stephanie White has parted ways with Connecticut and is almost certain to end Fever. She is from Indiana, already had a successful stint on the staff from 2011 to 2014 and was the franchise’s head coach from 2015 to 2016 before accepting a college coaching job. It’s just a great place for any coaching candidate to land. They’re clearly on the rise, with established young stars like Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark and a veteran presence in Kelsey Mitchell. The Fever made the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016 (when White was in charge), so winning appears to be in the cards going forward. That and its recently renovated practice facility make it a desirable location for free agents.
2. The Washington Mystics
The Mystics struggled last year, going 14-26 after Natasha Cloud left in free agency and Elena Delle Donne opted out. But this is still a desirable job for the right coach. When the organization fired general manager Mike Thibault and his son, coach Eric Thibault, Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger spoke of a desire to rejuvenate the franchise. He also expressed the organization’s goal to build across multiple drafts. In other words, it is a reconstruction. But it’s also one that has resources and a history of commitment to women’s basketball.
3. Chicago sky
The Sky are promising with Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Chennedy Carter leading a young roster. The organization also just opened a $38 million, state-of-the-art practice facility that can be used to attract and retain free agents. The foundation of this team is there, but there is one major concern. Is there any margin of error? Teresa Weatherspoon had a completely new roster, many of whom were young players just learning their way around the league. She was fired after one season, so that’s a red flag for any potential coach. But general manager Jeff Pagliocca arrived after Weatherspoon was hired last season, so in theory, whoever he hires will be a candidate he believes in.
4. The sparks of Los Angeles
The Sparks seem to be a franchise with impossible expectations. Most of the roster has been injured the last two seasons, and Curt Miller is a coach with an established ability to build teams and attract free agents. So if the Sparks let him go after two years without even having a full roster, what will they expect from any coach who takes over? The positive thing about training in Los Angeles is that you are training in Los Angeles. There is no more attractive place to attract potential players. The Sparks also have Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, who have immense potential, and a chance to be selected with the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. Those things might outweigh the worries.
5. The Atlanta Dream
The Dream has been a confusing franchise for the past few seasons. They drafted Rhyne Howard in 2022, which was a step in the right direction. She is a tremendously talented player that you can build around. But the Dreams haven’t done that. Last season, they built a roster full of point guards and drafted three players who were overseas and unable to contribute. It was just one of many confusing things general manager Dan Padover has done. If I’m a coach, I’m worried that this is a no-win situation. But on the plus side, former coach Tanisha Wright was given three seasons to try to build something, which is a lot more than some recently fired WNBA coaches received. Perhaps a new coach will be granted the same grace.
6. The Wings of Dallas
The Wings have had eight coaches since 2010, proving once again that no one really gets a chance to build a system or establish a culture. Former coach Latricia Trammell led Dallas to the second round of the playoffs in 2023, the first time the team advanced beyond the first round since 2015. This season she had an injury-laden roster and, despite the year’s success last, she was fired after just two seasons. Another concern for potential coaches is the roster. Free agents Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard have made it clear they are not looking to return.
7. The Connecticut Sun
The Sun has been lucky in recent seasons. Curt Miller was able to put together a contending team with Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, and Stephanie White maintained the same level of success. But having a WNBA team in Uncasville, Connecticut, is not easy. It’s not a desirable place to attract players, and the entire core of the team hit free agency this offseason. The facilities are also not up to par, and even during the playoffs, The team had to divide their practice field with a children’s birthday party.. That doesn’t seem like a franchise the league is serious about.