The Dallas Wings have announced the dismissal of head coach Chris Koclanes following a challenging season where the team ended with a 10-34 record, tying with the Chicago Sky for the league’s lowest performance. This decision comes despite an exceptional season from WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. Bueckers, the standout rookie, impressed with averages of 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, showcasing remarkable efficiency with a 47.4% shooting rate and 88.8% free throw accuracy.
Curt Miller, the general manager of the Dallas Wings, expressed the need for new leadership as the organization enters a critical phase regarding its competitive ambitions. “As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization,” Miller stated. The Wings remain committed to pursuing WNBA championships and fostering the strong team culture they have built both on and off the court.
Koclanes took the helm of the Wings in December 2024, following his role as an assistant coach under Miller at the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks. Before joining the Wings, he also contributed as an assistant coach for the University of Southern California during the 2023-24 season.
The departure of Koclanes mirrors recent coaching changes across the league, with Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty and Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm also relieved of their duties after the regular season concluded. Additionally, new expansion teams the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are actively seeking head coaches as they prepare for their debut seasons. As the Wings look forward to rebuilding, they, like the other teams undergoing transitions, will aim to enhance their performance and strategic direction in upcoming seasons.