USF's JoseF to Dallas Wings

[WBBZen]

Jose was a candidate for the position last year, but it was speculated either Dallas wouldn't pay him what he wanted, or his buyout was too high. Reporting indicates his buyout has been lowered from $1mil to 250k, and the Wings have decided to invest in a good coach. I think this is a great get for Dallas and Paige, so hopefully we will see good things start to happen over there.

He apparently has his pulse on the international/overseas game, which is really interesting and could prove really valuable to the Wings.

 

[HopJim]

I may be a bit of a contrarian, but suspect Dallas looked around and could not find a talented coach with pro experience who wanted the job. If I was Jose, would kick the tires and renegotiate his existing contract. Even with Paige and some new talent, they are likely to be at the bottom of the barrel for several more years. Losing is not fun.

 

[nwhoopfan]

But all these college kids who keep losing their coach on the cusp of the season. Sucks for them.

I hate it.

 

[Basingstoke]

Even with Paige and some new talent, they are likely to be at the bottom of the barrel for several more years. Losing is not fun.

You may be correct in your take about the Wings future success, but, given all the unknowns between now and next season, I think that it's quite a leap to reach that conclusion.
My take would be: they've gotten a head coach with a great reputation in the college ranks, but there is still much to be accomplished in this off-season once a new CBA is agreed upon (& only time will tell if Kurt Miller has gotten it right).
IMO, the team will, at the very least, take a major step forward next season.

 

[oldude]

Jose is an excellent coach who’s been successful for years at a program and in a conference where he is limited in his ability to recruit the top talent to compete at the highest levels.

Also, if the Wings secure the first pick, expect that they will draft Awa Fam, the 6’6”, 19 yr old, soon to be superstar from Spain. So it certainly doesn’t hurt that Jose is a fluent Spanish speaker.

 

[BobbyJ]

Jose is an excellent coach who’s been successful for years at a program and in a conference where he is limited in his ability to recruit the top talent to compete at the highest levels.

Also, if the Wings secure the first pick, expect that they will draft Awa Fam, the 6’6”, 19 yr old, soon to be superstar from Spain. So it certainly doesn’t hurt that Jose is a fluent Spanish speaker.

Awa Fam (Spain) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball

Explore the career and performances of Awa Fam. Access all stats, latest news, photos, videos and achievements.

www.fiba.basketball

 

[Aluminny69]

 

[WBBZen]

Jose is an excellent coach who’s been successful for years at a program and in a conference where he is limited in his ability to recruit the top talent to compete at the highest levels.

Also, if the Wings secure the first pick, expect that they will draft Awa Fam, the 6’6”, 19 yr old, soon to be superstar from Spain. So it certainly doesn’t hurt that Jose is a fluent Spanish speaker.

My only reservation about Fam is that she may be a draft and stash for whoever takes her. I'm not sure Dallas can afford to take a player who may not come over for a year or two at this point. However, Jose speaking Spanish is a huge plus and I expect the Wings overseas scouting to get a massive boost.

I am curious if he will bring his long time associate head coach, Michele Woods-Baxter, after the college season has concluded, or any of his other assistants.

 

[Cuango]

Great choice by Dallas! Now they just need Betts/Fam and some other good players to put around Paige and they’ll finally be cooking with gas. Jose is a good coach who knows the game and, I would imagine, already has Paige’s respect!

 

[oldude]

My only reservation about Fam is that she may be a draft and stash for whoever takes her. I'm not sure Dallas can afford to take a player who may not come over for a year or two at this point. However, Jose speaking Spanish is a huge plus and I expect the Wings overseas scouting to get a massive boost.

I am curious if he will bring his long time associate head coach, Michele Woods-Baxter, after the college season has concluded, or any of his other assistants.

If the Wings secure the #1 pick, they will have lots of options to use or trade that pick. I am sure they would fully evaluate Fam and determine if she’s receptive to playing for the Wings next season.

Beyond that, I have no doubt that Jose received the “Paige Bueckers seal of approval” along with an enthusiastic recommendation from Geno, his longtime pal and golfing buddy, before being offered the job by Curt Miller. I suspect Jose will discuss his plans for roster construction with Paige and seek her input and suggestions.

 

[SVCBeercats]

At only 53 he's probably still young enough to get another college job if he's out after a year or two in Dallas. He'd better get a 5 year guaranteed deal.

With the WNBA he would be smart to demand a LARGE signing bonus to be paid immediately.

 

[SVCBeercats]

But all these college kids who keep losing their coach on the cusp of the season. Sucks for them.

Welcome to the real world. Coaches invest much time and money recruiting players only to have them enter the portal. Two-way street!

 

[BlueDevils]

Out of curiosity, is Courtney Williams a free agent?

 

[oldude]

Out of curiosity, is Courtney Williams a free agent?

Just about every veteran is. Williams might well be interested in a reunion with her college coach.

 

[huskeynut]

Excellent hire for Dallas. I'm sure Geno has a hand in this.

Jose has the understanding/ knowledge to coach the pro level. He never has the talent at USF that Geno has at UConn.

And I am sad because we renewed our season tickets to USF woemn's basketball. But such is life.

 

[bballnut90]

big omission: You forgot about Smesko and Atlanta, who was very successful in year 1

Thanks—edited it

 

[bballnut90]

My only reservation about Fam is that she may be a draft and stash for whoever takes her. I'm not sure Dallas can afford to take a player who may not come over for a year or two at this point. However, Jose speaking Spanish is a huge plus and I expect the Wings overseas scouting to get a massive boost.

I am curious if he will bring his long time associate head coach, Michele Woods-Baxter, after the college season has concluded, or any of his other assistants.

I don’t know Fam’s game as well as many but I don’t think she’s a consensus #1 like a Boston/Clark/Paige in recent years. Draft and stash for the #1 pick in a strong class would be a crazy choice IMO, especially considering they only have Paige locked in for 2-3 more years.

 

[oldude]

I don’t know Fam’s game as well as many but I don’t think she’s a consensus #1 like a Boston/Clark/Paige in recent years. Draft and stash for the #1 pick in a strong class would be a crazy choice IMO, especially considering they only have Paige locked in for 2-3 more years.

Watch some video of Fam and you’ll see why analysts rate her as the consensus #1 pick in the 2026 draft. She is legit, with a skill set and athleticism far superior to Betts. Also, I am not sure where this “draft and stash” idea originated, but it is my understanding that Fam will be in the W next season.

 

[WBBZen]

I don’t know Fam’s game as well as many but I don’t think she’s a consensus #1 like a Boston/Clark/Paige in recent years. Draft and stash for the #1 pick in a strong class would be a crazy choice IMO, especially considering they only have Paige locked in for 2-3 more years.

I agree that there isn't a consensus #1 pick like there has been in years past. Maybe that player emerges through the college season? Not sure. At this moment, I honestly see the Lynx taking Awa Fam, as they can afford a year or two of draft and stash if necessary. There's still a lot of things that need to happen before April and I don't want to turn this into a 2026 Draft thread.

 

[WBBZen]

Watch some video of Fam and you’ll see why analysts rate her as the consensus #1 pick in the 2026 draft. She is legit, with a skill set and athleticism far superior to Betts. Also, I am not sure where this “draft and stash” idea originated, but it is my understanding that Fam will be in the W next season.

Many internationals become draft and stash as they are simply not ready to come over when they become eligible for the draft. Fam has never given a definitive statement that she will be ready to play for whatever W team drafts her next year.

 

[GamecockFam]

I don’t know Fam’s game as well as many but I don’t think she’s a consensus #1 like a Boston/Clark/Paige in recent years. Draft and stash for the #1 pick in a strong class would be a crazy choice IMO, especially considering they only have Paige locked in for 2-3 more years.

I think there are two issues with this draft class 1) there really isn't a prospect that is a clear cut #1 overall pick.
2) most of the talent is concentrated at guard

In a class where Dallas needs to find a big, there's downsides to all options. Or at least going into the season Lauren Betts seems to be the only option with the proven resume against top competition, so the next best option is to draft on ceiling and Fam fits that bill. With that said, there are a few options which might sprint up to the top of the draft boards with great seasons. In particular I think Janiah Barker, Madina Okot, and Serah Williams could become lottery picks if they were to put up All-American first or second team type of performances.

 

[oldhusky]

I think there are two issues with this draft class 1) there really isn't a prospect that is a clear cut #1 overall pick.
2) most of the talent is concentrated at guard

In a class where Dallas needs to find a big, there's downsides to all options. Or at least going into the season Lauren Betts seems to be the only option with the proven resume against top competition, so the next best option is to draft on ceiling and Fam fits that bill. With that said, there are a few options which might sprint up to the top of the draft boards with great seasons. In particular I think Janiah Barker, Madina Okot, and Serah Williams could become lottery picks if they were to put up All-American first or second team type of performances.

If Dallas gets a top two pick, they can get their C, either Betts or Fam. If lower than that, they may be out of luck, since the other candidates you mention do not seem worthy of a pick that high. I have no idea if Dallas could be a decent destination in the eyes of the huge available free agent class, but this offseason is huge for all the teams.

If they can't get a top C in the draft and fill another position with their top pick, they can pursue their needs via free agency, but I'm not sure if Dallas, Paige, Frenandez and a top pick is enough to elevate Dallas near the top of the list for free agents. I think their more likely timeline is going from bad to competitive, before they can attract top free agents a couple of years down the road.

 

[oldude]

Many internationals become draft and stash as they are simply not ready to come over when they become eligible for the draft. Fam has never given a definitive statement that she will be ready to play for whatever W team drafts her next year.

Time will tell. But Fam is definitely more developed physically as well as a more skilled player than Dominique Malonga whose rookie season in the W turned out pretty well.