The WNBA coaching carousel continues to spin, with both vacancies on expansion teams already filled. Seattle Storm Hire Sonia RamanWhile Portland Fire announced they have hired Alex Sarama, according to reports. Elsewhere, Toronto Tempo put Sandy Brondello at the helm and the team Dallas Wings returned to college and hired Jose Fernandez from the University of South Florida.
Now that Storm, Wings, Fire and Tempo have made their decisions, one possibility remains: New York Liberty. Earlier this offseason, the Liberty parted ways with Brondello and the Storm decided not to continue with Noelle Quinn.
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Quinn's departure was expected. Since she took over in 2021, the Storm have won just one playoff series and were investigated for alleged bullying and harassment last offseason. Likewise, it was not surprising that Koclanes was relieved of his duties. In his first season leading the Wings, he went 10–34 and seemed unsuited to the job. On the other hand, the Liberty's decision to part ways with Brondello just a year after she led the franchise to its first championship was shock to many.
It is unlikely that we will see further changes in coaches this winter. Last offseason, seven teams changed coaches, and if you include Natalie Nakase with the expansion Golden State Valkyrieseight coaches started new jobs. One, Koklanes, has already been fired, and the only one who might be in trouble is Tyler Marsh, who went 10-34 with a Chicago Sky. However, if Skye were going to leave March, they probably would have already done so.
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Of the five teams entering the 2025 season with full-time coaches, the Storm and Liberty made changes. Las Vegas Ace And Phoenix Mercury reached the final and Becky Hammon and Nate Tibbetts has excellent job security. So does Cheryl Reeve, despite Minnesota Links early exit from the playoffs.
WNBA Coaching Tracker
|
Dallas Wings |
10-34 |
Chris Coclanes |
Jose Fernandez |
|
New York Liberty |
27-17 |
Sandy Brondello |
TBD |
|
Portland Fire |
N/A |
N/A |
Alex Sarama |
|
Seattle Storm |
23-21 |
Noel Quinn |
Sonia Raman |
|
Weather in Toronto |
N/A |
N/A |
Sandy Brondello |
Storm
In: Noel Quinn
Quinn, who won a championship with the Storm as a player, joined the Seattle coaching staff as an assistant in 2019 immediately after retiring. She was promoted to head coach in 2021 after Dan Hughes stepped down due to health reasons. Although she led the Storm to four playoff appearances, they won only one series despite an abundance of talent and never finished higher than sixth in the league in offensive rating. In addition, Quinn was under investigation for alleged bullying and harassment of players. The last straw was the second consecutive exit from the first round of elections in 2025.
Out: Sonia Raman
Prior to her only season as an assistant at Liberty, Raman was an assistant at Liberty this year. NBA Memphis Grizzlies from 2020 to 2024. Before moving into the professional ranks, she was the head coach of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology women's basketball team for 12 years, from 2008 to 2020. During her tenure, she led the team to its first two Division III conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Previously, she was a leading assistant at Wellesley College for six seasons and began her coaching career at her alma mater, Tufts University.
Wings
In: Chris Klockleins
After several years as an assistant at both the WNBA and collegiate level (mostly working under Curt Miller, who is now the Wings' general manager), Kotslanes got the chance to run the show himself. His only season with the Wings was a disaster. He never felt comfortable leading the team, and the Wings finished in last place with a 10–34 record and set the league record for losses in a single season. By the end of the season, fans were chanting, “We want Nola!” During games, he asked the team to replace Kotslanes with assistant Nola Henry. Now the Wings will be looking for their third coach in as many years.
In: Jose Fernandez
USF coach Jose Fernandez is making the transition from the college ranks to the WNBA after 25 years as the Bulls' coach. After leading South Florida to 10 NCAA tournaments, including eight of the last 11 seasons, he will take on the Wings and Rookie of the Year titles. Paige Bueckersposting a 10–34 record in 2025.
Freedom
In: Sandy Brondello
Brondello led the Liberty very successfully. In her four seasons at the helm, the team went 107-53, won a franchise-record 32 games in 2023 and 2024, never missed the playoffs and made two finals appearances. In 2024, she led the Liberty to the first championship in franchise history and in 2023, she helped capture the Commissioner's Cup title. Ultimately, these gains were overshadowed by a disappointing 2025 campaign. The Liberty were plagued by injuries, finished fifth and lost to the Mercury in the first round of the playoffs.
Q: TBD
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Fire
Out: no data
In: Alex Sarama
Born in England, Sarama has an incredible resume. He worked with Paris Basketball and the London Lions (where he briefly overlapped with Fire general manager Vanya Chernivets), as well as Rip City Remix, the G-League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2023, he also founded Transforming Basketball, which is “widely considered the world's leading resource for basketball coaching education” and is a leading proponent of the Constraints Based Approach, or CLA, an innovative training methodology. He was highly regarded by the Cavaliers, but whether he will succeed as a head coach remains to be seen.
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Pace
Out: no data
In: Sandy Brondello
The Liberty's decision to shake things up was a major win for the Tempos, who were able to hire Brondello as the first coach in franchise history. Brondello is one of the best coaches in league history. She has compiled a 269-181 lifetime record, ranks sixth on the all-time wins list and has won championships with two different teams (Phoenix Mercury in 2014, Liberty in 2024). Brondello is highly regarded by her players and staff wherever she goes, and she will help create a winning culture in Toronto as the franchise begins its journey into the WNBA.
