In late August, the Chicago Sky decided to drop their 18-year-old superhero mascot, Sky Guy, and introduced Skye the Lioness, an embodiment of “strength, feminine power, grace,” and some confusing branding. The rebranding move was a flop with fans, but perhaps it was a metaphor for the larger changes in the franchise’s outlook—because the next big change was the firing of head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, less than a year after she joined the team. General manager Jeff Pagliocca justified it, saying the team “just felt it was time to make a change.”
A change? The WNBA looks more like an extreme makeover show. Since the Weatherspoon news dropped, six of the league’s 12 teams—the Sparks, Sky, Mystics, Dream, Wings, and Fever—are coach-less, with three also searching for new GMs. That’s right, over half the league has a vacancy on the sidelines. Natalie Nakase, who just joined as the head coach for the expansion Golden State Valkyries, is now already in the top half of the league for longest-tenured head coaches. Yes, you read that correctly.
Coaching: A Thankless Job
If this article were a rundown of which coaches “deserved” the boot, we’d be here debating each late-game lineup and huddle scowl. But, let’s be real. The real story is less about individual “coaching flops” and more about what front offices are thinking—or maybe not thinking. Why the sudden spree of pink slips?
Some owners have realized, maybe for the first time, that they actually own a WNBA team. This season, the LA Times’ Bill Plaschke criticized Magic Johnson for his hands-off management of the Sparks. In response, Magic, who had effectively been vacationing on the sidelines, promised to get more involved. Mere days later, the Sparks fired their head coach, Curt Miller. Coincidence? Perhaps. But maybe some owners are treating the firing of coaches like they would a quick house clean: wipe down some surfaces and hope things sparkle. Unfortunately, a simple change at the top isn’t going to fix a roster missing depth, strategy, or consistent game plans.
WNBA Coaching: The New Playground for NBA Drop-Ins
Meanwhile, the growing money and media spotlight on women’s basketball have drawn NBA talent to the WNBA coaching scene. The trend started with the well-known names like Becky Hammon, and recent hires include other former NBA assistants like Nate Tibbetts and Nakase. For better or worse, there’s no salary cap on coaching and front-office hires, so teams can throw big money at former NBA staffers. The upside? These coaches bring skills honed in the NBA. The downside? This influx might make it harder for former WNBA players and black women to break into top coaching roles.
There’s also the irony of “importing” NBA experience to improve WNBA coaching while often neglecting the experienced WNBA talent in-house. Former players and experienced women coaches are still the backbones of many WNBA teams. Yet, despite having proven track records, some are continuously overlooked for these flashier hires.
The Unseen Mess Behind WNBA Coaching Turnover
At the heart of these decisions are front offices that, frankly, often make curious choices. Coaches end up in impossible situations where they’re left juggling poorly constructed rosters and limited resources. Take Teresa Weatherspoon. She joined the Sky last season, aiming to work with star Kahleah Copper. However, her actual team turned out to be a puzzle of non-shooting rookies, streaky guards, and a thin bench. What could’ve been a learning experience for Weatherspoon quickly spiraled into finger-pointing and “disconnects,” and ultimately, she took the fall.
Over in Dallas, the disaster-prone Wings have apparently decided to start fresh, yet are putting the infamous Greg Bibb, CEO and resident decision-maker, in charge of hiring his own successor as GM. It’s like putting a band-aid on a cracked dam and hoping for the best.
Future of WNBA Coaches: Smarter Rotations, Deeper Benches
With the league growing, expectations are on the rise. The next generation of WNBA coaches will need to be savvier with rotations, maximize bench players, and manage minutes strategically. Teams like the Lynx, who made a playoff run with a versatile roster, show that you don’t need only size and star power to contend; you need depth and clever matchups. So maybe we’ll finally stop seeing fourth-quarter blowouts where Diana Taurasi is still on the court, just trying to survive.
So, as the WNBA faces a coaching and management overhaul, the league’s best coaches will need to be prepared to think on their feet and work with unpredictable rosters. For new coaches stepping in, here’s hoping the job description has a disclaimer: High turnover and sudden mid-season exits possible.
