Sonia Raman is moving to the West Coast as she takes on the role of head coach for the Seattle Storm, making history as the first WNBA coach of Indian descent. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Raman has signed a multi-year contract with the team, marking another significant milestone in her coaching career.
At 51 years old and hailing from Framingham, Massachusetts, Raman previously served as an assistant coach for the New York Liberty last season, where she worked under Sandy Brondello, who has since transitioned to coach the Toronto Tempo. Prior to her time in New York, Raman spent five seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and accumulated over a decade of experience as head coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Raman takes over from Noelle Quinn, whose contract was not renewed after leading the Storm for five seasons. In the recently concluded season, the Storm finished with a record of 23-21 but faced elimination in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Las Vegas Aces, the eventual champions.
Raman’s appointment is not just a personal achievement but also a step forward for diversity in sports coaching, paving the way for future generations in the WNBA. With her extensive experience and a proven track record, she is poised to bring fresh energy and perspective to the Storm as they look to bounce back in the upcoming season.