The WNBA is approaching the two-week mark in its offseason, but a lot has happened since the New York Liberty captured its first-ever title. While there are a lot of chances to look back at the historic 2024 season, the WNBA isn’t waiting for anything as there have been several coaching changes, and the league is preparing for their expansion draft, plus free agency.
7 WNBA Coaching Teams Looking for Head Coaches, Which Opening Is the Best Job? And 2 Teams Linked To Former Connecticut Sun Boss
The 2024 WNBA offseason has started out like wildfire. The Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky became the first two teams to make coaching changes, as Curt Miller and Teresa Weatherspoon were axed on September 24 and 26. The Atlanta Dreams, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Washington Mystics, and Dallas Wings also have vacancies.
The Golden State Valkyries named Natalie Nakase the franchise’s first head coach on October 10. Nakase, the first WNBA Asian American head coach, has worked with the Los Angeles Clippers and spent the last three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces as an assistant under Becky Hammon.
“I’m going to be a truth-teller. I’m going to be a pusher,” Nakase said when she was hired on X when she was hired.
WNBA Coaching Changes
1. Connecticut Sun
Connecticut and Stephanie White mutually parted ways on October 28. The 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year posted a 55-25 record, including 7-7 in the postseason, in two seasons with the Sun. She owns a 92-56 career WNBA record, including 13-13 in the postseason while leading Indiana to the 2015 WNBA Finals.
Connecticut is the most appealing of the open jobs. The Sun has reached at least 25 victories in four straight years while advancing to the semifinals each campaign. The Sun lost in the 2022 WNBA Finals.
Connecticut won 28 games, finishing with the third-best record in the league. The Sun also had the league’s top defense and fourth-best offense. They took the No. 2 seed, Minnesota Lynx, the No. 2 seed, to five games in the semifinals.
“It’s not an easy decision to leave Connecticut, but I think the best one for my family and my career,” White told ESPN. “It’s meant a lot to me — I’m so grateful to Jen [Rizzotti] and the organization. For me to be able to return to coaching — which I didn’t know if it would be possible — with such a great team and coaching staff, it’s meant a lot to me.
“So, this has not been easy. But certainly, at the end of the day, it’s tough for me being away from my family,” White added. “So, from a professional standpoint and a personal standpoint, I feel like it’s the best decision.”
What Are The Suns Looking For In Next Head Coach
Rizzotti, the Sun’s president, told Maggie Vanoni of the Stamford (CT) Advocate that the franchise is open to various resumes and types of experience for its new head coach; the main requirement is finding someone who will invest back in the Sun just as much as it will invest in them.
Rizzotti added that she already had preliminary conversation about the opening.
2. Indiana Fever
Indiana fired Christie Sides on October 27 after two seasons and a 33-47 record. The Fever went 20-20 a season and reached the postseason for the first time since 2016. It marked the first time that the Fever reached the playoffs since 2016, when Stephanie White was at the helm.
Here is what ESPN’s Michele Voepel said about the Fever’s coaching opening:
The expectations are huge going forward for Sides’ successor. The Fever were most successful when playing at the fast pace in which [Caitlin] Clark is most comfortable. She and [Aliyah] Boston developed good chemistry in the pick-and-roll, and the team improved defensively, which contributed to victories, too. Clark will look to cut down on turnovers, but her rookie year was fantastic and a great building block. Sides’ replacement has a lot to work with, especially if [Kelsey] Mitchell returns.
Speaking of White, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the 47-year-old has narrowed her choices to the Fever and Sky. These two jobs make the most sense as White, a Danville (IL) native and Purdue alum, played for the Fever and coached in both places
Expect White to land back in Indianapolis with the Fever.
3. Chicago Sky
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the seven coaching changes, except Connecticut, is that the Sky gave Weatherspoon just one season. Granted, the Sky finished with a 14-27 record, but they dealt with key injuries, including star rookie Angel Reese, who missed the final six games.
“Not many saw this coming, especially since Weatherspoon has been on the job only since last October,” Voepel said at the time of Weatherspoon’s dismissal. And it was clear she bonded well with Reese, who quickly became the face of the team.”
Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Chennedy Carter, who is a restricted free agent, are the Sky’s key players. However, the Sky owe Dallas a 2025 first-round draft pick swap, which takes them out of the running for the No. 1 pick.
Voepel said that Weatherspoon could land back in Los Angeles while Miller may be a candidate for the Sky’s job, if they miss out on White.
4. Washington Mystics
Washington dismissed head coach Eric Thibault and his father Mike Thibault, who served as the Mystics general manager, on October 23. Eric took over the Mystics from his father two seasons ago and posted a 33-47 record, including 14-26 this past season.
“This move is more about the Mystics’ future than single-season results, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou said when talking about why the Mystics made decisions to fire the Thibaults. With both Thibaults gone, this is a complete organizational reset meant to keep the Mystics competitive and ahead of the curve amid the WNBA’s exponential growth spurt, a source close to the situation told ESPN.
Washington is slated to have two of the top picks in this year’s draft. The Mystics also have their six core players under contract.
“Washington’s roster seems poised for a stable offseason with a core of Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson, Karlie Samuelson, [Shakira] Austin and [Aaliyah] Edwards all under contract,’ Phillipou added. “Elena Delle Donne’s career in Washington and in the WNBA overall, though, remains unclear.”
5. Los Angeles Sparks
Miller had a solid career with Connecticut before moving to LA in 2023. But he couldn’t rebuild the Sparks, going 25-55 in two seasons, as 2024 No. 2 overall selection Cameron Brink was lost for the season after 15 games with a knee injury.
“The Sparks might have the most disconnected ownership in the WNBA in terms of the relationship with the franchise, players, fans. Considering what Miller stepped into, the idea that he was going to work magic in two seasons felt unrealistic,” Voepel said at the time of Miller’s departure. “But apparently, Sparks ownership thought he should have done that.”
LA has missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. Here’s what ESPN’s’ Kevin Pelton said about the Sparks’ future.
“After four years in the WNBA draft lottery, there’s pressure on Los Angeles to turn the corner in its rebuild next season. The Sparks sent their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Seattle Storm as part of their deal for this year’s No. 4 pick, [Rikea] Jackson.
In Jackson and Brink, Los Angeles has two cornerstones. It is hoping to add another with its lottery pick this year, which would have a 44% chance of landing No. 1 if the new expansion team Golden State Valkyries don’t get to participate. Should she opt against using a possible sixth year of eligibility, [Paige] Bueckers would be an ideal fit alongside Brink and Jackson in the frontcourt.”
Voepel suggested that Weatherspoon may be a candidate for the Sparks vacancy as she played her final WNBA season in LA (2004). The Sparks are using Turnkey ZRG to assist in the Sparks hiring process.
In addition to Weatherspoon, The Orange County register suggested Lynx assistant Katie Smith, Indiana Pacers assistant Jenny Boucek, former Sparks star Lisa Leslie, and former Phoenix Mercury head coach Cheryl Miller.
6. Atlanta Dream
Atlanta fired Tanisha Wright on October 2 after three seasons. While Wright directed the Dream to two straight playoff appearances, she didn’t post a single winning campaign. She went 48-68 overall, including 0-4 in the playoffs. According to an ESPN Insider article, the Dream is one of the most attractive jobs open.
” Not only did they make the playoffs this year, Atlanta was the fifth seed in 2023 and should have [Jordin] Canada and [Rhyne] Howard back healthy after they missed a combined 30 games this season.”
Dallas Wings
Dallas fired Latricia Trammell on October 18 after two seasons. The Wings, who were without Satou Sabally for 25 games, went 9-31 last season after reaching the semifinals for the first time since moving from Tulsa in 2022. Trammell was 31-49 with the Wings.
Dallas was the worst defensive team in the league this past season. Whoever the Wings hire, they will be the ninth head coach the franchise has had since 2010. But first, Dallas needs to hire a general manager and a couple of names to keep an eye on for this position, per The Next’s Howard Megall, is former Los Angeles Sparks head coach Curt Miller and Minnesota Lynx associate head coach Katie Smith.
Here is what Justin Carter of DMagazine said about the Wings’ head coaching opening:
“Considering how many teams are searching for a head coach and where the Wings most likely fit in the pecking order, one could argue this wasn’t the time to move on. The Sky and the Sparks have exciting young cores. The Mystics have a lot of resources because they’re under the Monumental Sports umbrella. The expansion Golden State Valkyries have already landed a big fish by hiring Aces assistant Natalie Nakase. Dallas is fighting with Atlanta to see which is the second-least desirable head coaching job.”
Natasha Howard and Sabally are free agents this winter.
